From listening to this song and reading the lyrics i believe its about a man who has just married a girl named Maria
'You in your life, me in mine
We have begun'
and is now beginning his new life with her. Through falling in love with Maria he has gained a peace and learned that he has a good heart. They are now ready to begin their life together
Another meaning of the song could be explained through the title 'Our Lady of the Well' It could very well be that Jackson Browne is describing the presence of the Holy Mother coming into his life. Mary or Maria has awoken his consiousness and now he is going to live his life like he should.
And it has taken me this distance
And a woman's smile to learn
That my heart remains among them
And to them I must return
Further proof that it is religious is that if you listen to the next song on the album, "colors of the sun" he refers to seeing "Joseph and Maria", the parents of Jesus.
Wait, weren't Jesus' parents called Joseph and Mary? I have serious reservations as to whether Jackson Browne is religious, agnostic at the very most..
Wait, weren't Jesus' parents called Joseph and Mary? I have serious reservations as to whether Jackson Browne is religious, agnostic at the very most..
Whether JB is religious or not? That's between him and God, I suppose, though I also see indications of his being conscious of religion and God in his lyrics. Don't know why croakditch stated that he felt JB was "agnostic at best", but figure it was probably a statement based on his assumption that a liberal minded writer must be non-believing unless otherwise proclaimed... I personally think that is painting with a broad brush and that croakditch is mistaken.
Regarding using the name Maria in lieu of Mary, if you look at the cover of the album you see a scene...
Whether JB is religious or not? That's between him and God, I suppose, though I also see indications of his being conscious of religion and God in his lyrics. Don't know why croakditch stated that he felt JB was "agnostic at best", but figure it was probably a statement based on his assumption that a liberal minded writer must be non-believing unless otherwise proclaimed... I personally think that is painting with a broad brush and that croakditch is mistaken.
Regarding using the name Maria in lieu of Mary, if you look at the cover of the album you see a scene near the well. I see a Mexican/Spanish theme there, where Maria would be an appropriate translation. I too think there is some religious implication here, specifically from the roots of Catholicism, though I don't believe this to be a specifically religious song. Though I do see that he has included religion in the writing of his song, and it is easy to see that this is something significant in his heart.
I stated, above, making reference to Mexico. I actually should have stated Central/South American scene. Maybe a place where simpler life style, in tune with their spiritual beliefs and family values, as opposed to how far the other way things have gone in the US. Back in the sixties, this was probably more true than today, as now it seems things have gone awry across most of the world.
I stated, above, making reference to Mexico. I actually should have stated Central/South American scene. Maybe a place where simpler life style, in tune with their spiritual beliefs and family values, as opposed to how far the other way things have gone in the US. Back in the sixties, this was probably more true than today, as now it seems things have gone awry across most of the world.
From listening to this song and reading the lyrics i believe its about a man who has just married a girl named Maria
'You in your life, me in mine We have begun'
and is now beginning his new life with her. Through falling in love with Maria he has gained a peace and learned that he has a good heart. They are now ready to begin their life together
Another meaning of the song could be explained through the title 'Our Lady of the Well' It could very well be that Jackson Browne is describing the presence of the Holy Mother coming into his life. Mary or Maria has awoken his consiousness and now he is going to live his life like he should.
And it has taken me this distance And a woman's smile to learn That my heart remains among them And to them I must return
Further proof that it is religious is that if you listen to the next song on the album, "colors of the sun" he refers to seeing "Joseph and Maria", the parents of Jesus.
Wait, weren't Jesus' parents called Joseph and Mary? I have serious reservations as to whether Jackson Browne is religious, agnostic at the very most..
Wait, weren't Jesus' parents called Joseph and Mary? I have serious reservations as to whether Jackson Browne is religious, agnostic at the very most..
Whether JB is religious or not? That's between him and God, I suppose, though I also see indications of his being conscious of religion and God in his lyrics. Don't know why croakditch stated that he felt JB was "agnostic at best", but figure it was probably a statement based on his assumption that a liberal minded writer must be non-believing unless otherwise proclaimed... I personally think that is painting with a broad brush and that croakditch is mistaken. Regarding using the name Maria in lieu of Mary, if you look at the cover of the album you see a scene...
Whether JB is religious or not? That's between him and God, I suppose, though I also see indications of his being conscious of religion and God in his lyrics. Don't know why croakditch stated that he felt JB was "agnostic at best", but figure it was probably a statement based on his assumption that a liberal minded writer must be non-believing unless otherwise proclaimed... I personally think that is painting with a broad brush and that croakditch is mistaken. Regarding using the name Maria in lieu of Mary, if you look at the cover of the album you see a scene near the well. I see a Mexican/Spanish theme there, where Maria would be an appropriate translation. I too think there is some religious implication here, specifically from the roots of Catholicism, though I don't believe this to be a specifically religious song. Though I do see that he has included religion in the writing of his song, and it is easy to see that this is something significant in his heart.
I stated, above, making reference to Mexico. I actually should have stated Central/South American scene. Maybe a place where simpler life style, in tune with their spiritual beliefs and family values, as opposed to how far the other way things have gone in the US. Back in the sixties, this was probably more true than today, as now it seems things have gone awry across most of the world.
I stated, above, making reference to Mexico. I actually should have stated Central/South American scene. Maybe a place where simpler life style, in tune with their spiritual beliefs and family values, as opposed to how far the other way things have gone in the US. Back in the sixties, this was probably more true than today, as now it seems things have gone awry across most of the world.