I think "Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine" refers to the narator indulging in casual sex to escape her despair.
The fall from chastity is a common theme in folk song.
As for the "waters so wide", perhaps the "boy from the west" has gone back west; or perhaps he took her west and then abandoned her and the waters are those between her and her childhood.
I think "Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine" refers to the narator indulging in casual sex to escape her despair. The fall from chastity is a common theme in folk song.
As for the "waters so wide", perhaps the "boy from the west" has gone back west; or perhaps he took her west and then abandoned her and the waters are those between her and her childhood.