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

Lyric discussion by colinissuper 

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

For me, when i hear in the Rake's Song that the Rake is the narrator, this song makes a bit more sense. The narrator of this song is not William since the song is describing William in the 3rd person.

"You'll learn soon enough The prettiest whistles won't wrestle the thistles undone"

This is clearly a threat from the psychopath Rake.