I have read Ian Anderson to say, years later, possibly in the first remaster of Minstrel, that the song concerns his own regrets of his maintenance of his first marriage, to the lady named Jennie, who is often credited for the song Aqualung. (That is not actually true, she had been taking pictures of London's homeless which provided Ian Anderson with the inspiration, though apparently she did provide the line about snot!) In any case his second marriage, to Shona, has lasted, now over a 40 year union. Probably first seen by Tull fans at the 75 show before marriage, when she served as the ringmistress I think she was called, bringing Ian various apparels and instruments during the show, in a kind of circus attire.
I have read Ian Anderson to say, years later, possibly in the first remaster of Minstrel, that the song concerns his own regrets of his maintenance of his first marriage, to the lady named Jennie, who is often credited for the song Aqualung. (That is not actually true, she had been taking pictures of London's homeless which provided Ian Anderson with the inspiration, though apparently she did provide the line about snot!) In any case his second marriage, to Shona, has lasted, now over a 40 year union. Probably first seen by Tull fans at the 75 show before marriage, when she served as the ringmistress I think she was called, bringing Ian various apparels and instruments during the show, in a kind of circus attire.