I read this as a fairly scathing analysis of 'traditional' marriage/weddings and especially of the seemingly inevitably way in which Sister Rose (and all of the 'single girls' who 'hear the call' from the onlookers) falls into (and are encouraged by society into) it, almost without thought.
It is a feminist song criticising the unquestioning changing of the bride's name, the pomp and pageantry of the dresses and dances, and the implicit subservience of the wife that all of this is there to legitimise. The line 'He's a banker, she'll be well off now' expresses clearly where the power is in this relationship.
Arguably the line about 'Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe' (embodiments of the USA and USSR?) suggests that marriage/family/etc is an important part of maintaining a much broader social and political status quo.
The final line suggests Mercahnt (or whoever she is giving voice to in the song) sees beyond all of the symbolic stuff on the wedding day and still sees and loves sister Rose for the person she is/was, not just as a wife, not just as 'Mrs Rocky'.
I read this as a fairly scathing analysis of 'traditional' marriage/weddings and especially of the seemingly inevitably way in which Sister Rose (and all of the 'single girls' who 'hear the call' from the onlookers) falls into (and are encouraged by society into) it, almost without thought.
It is a feminist song criticising the unquestioning changing of the bride's name, the pomp and pageantry of the dresses and dances, and the implicit subservience of the wife that all of this is there to legitimise. The line 'He's a banker, she'll be well off now' expresses clearly where the power is in this relationship.
Arguably the line about 'Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe' (embodiments of the USA and USSR?) suggests that marriage/family/etc is an important part of maintaining a much broader social and political status quo.
The final line suggests Mercahnt (or whoever she is giving voice to in the song) sees beyond all of the symbolic stuff on the wedding day and still sees and loves sister Rose for the person she is/was, not just as a wife, not just as 'Mrs Rocky'.