The story depicts morals so ancient it must seem unreal to us, yet Joan's performance makes it deeply touching. Boys of 14 being married to mature girls of 24 - was it a tool to rein in men's power over women? But in this song the girl gets no power, just a lot of waiting, a brief moment of married life - and long years as a widow with a child. She does not blame her father, her boy husband or the fate, she just treasures her memories. Nowdays such attitude would be submissive and pitiful, in this ballad it is sorrowful and beautiful. Such is the wonder of song and Joan Baez.
When I was a teenager speaking no English and hearing even less, I played this number endlessly, trying to fill the title with any sad meaning...
The story depicts morals so ancient it must seem unreal to us, yet Joan's performance makes it deeply touching. Boys of 14 being married to mature girls of 24 - was it a tool to rein in men's power over women? But in this song the girl gets no power, just a lot of waiting, a brief moment of married life - and long years as a widow with a child. She does not blame her father, her boy husband or the fate, she just treasures her memories. Nowdays such attitude would be submissive and pitiful, in this ballad it is sorrowful and beautiful. Such is the wonder of song and Joan Baez. When I was a teenager speaking no English and hearing even less, I played this number endlessly, trying to fill the title with any sad meaning...