The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone) Lyrics

Lyric discussion by LoneMyth 

Cover art for The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone) lyrics by Decemberists, The

IMO, "The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone" is a better title for this album than "The Hazards of Love." I interpret the line as a general title for the whole album. Even though Margaret has a "pretty whistle," (I interpret this as sheer beauty, loveliness, and charity) she cannot undo the thistles (the curse) that The Queen had entwined William in. In the end, The Queen's Curse takes the life of William and, subsequently, Margaret.

"You'll learn soon enough: the prettiest whistles won't wrestle the thistles undone." ("soon enough," evidently, representing the end of the story.)