I think it's a combination of what comedancing says.
Susannah's lover / husband / partner was a soldier who went off to war. Presumably he died.
She's desperately lonely and has turned to alcohol to replace the lack of someone with her.
She cries every night, and it seems that she'll never escape from the misery (by dying).
I interpret the title as emphasizing the fact that she's still alive, while he's died, and that she has no choice but to keep living and keep bearing the sadness - she can't win.
The song isn't explicit that he died, but I feel that's the meaning which fits best.
(btw the name of the song is actually "Susannah's Still Alive" with an 's'.)
I think it's a combination of what comedancing says.
Susannah's lover / husband / partner was a soldier who went off to war. Presumably he died. She's desperately lonely and has turned to alcohol to replace the lack of someone with her. She cries every night, and it seems that she'll never escape from the misery (by dying).
I interpret the title as emphasizing the fact that she's still alive, while he's died, and that she has no choice but to keep living and keep bearing the sadness - she can't win.
The song isn't explicit that he died, but I feel that's the meaning which fits best.
(btw the name of the song is actually "Susannah's Still Alive" with an 's'.)