Quite an inventive interpretation! However, it is way too much of a stretch. As the other reply pointed out, it does not fit with the other lyrics. For another example, the line referring to the "frog down my dress", seems like exactly what a boy might to do to tease a girl, not anther boy. Another boy would likely not be repulsed by the frog, like a girl usually would be.
The much more likely story, is some sort of love affair between the narrator ( WHO IS FEMALE!), and Billy Joe. For some reason they feel compelled to keep the relationship a secret. That is the great mystery, along with why he killed himself. The abortion theory, makes some sense. However, why did they keep the relationship such a secret? Was he so much of an outcast ( wrong side of the tracks syndrome), that she could not have an open friendship? Was he just depressed like many teenagers?
@greg100869 The relationship was secret because the narrator's parents were angling to match her up with Brother Taylor (the young preacher.) If they knew she was having any sort of relationship with Billy Joe, they'd forbid her from seeing him, so she had to keep it on the DL.
@greg100869 The relationship was secret because the narrator's parents were angling to match her up with Brother Taylor (the young preacher.) If they knew she was having any sort of relationship with Billy Joe, they'd forbid her from seeing him, so she had to keep it on the DL.
That's why Mama mentions that Brother Taylor would be joining them for supper on Sunday. She's giving her notice to get fixed up for potential romance. Don't be too hard on Mama, though. Marrying off her daughter to a preacher would be a great way to ensure a...
That's why Mama mentions that Brother Taylor would be joining them for supper on Sunday. She's giving her notice to get fixed up for potential romance. Don't be too hard on Mama, though. Marrying off her daughter to a preacher would be a great way to ensure a secure future with a "good man" for at least one of her children.
Quite an inventive interpretation! However, it is way too much of a stretch. As the other reply pointed out, it does not fit with the other lyrics. For another example, the line referring to the "frog down my dress", seems like exactly what a boy might to do to tease a girl, not anther boy. Another boy would likely not be repulsed by the frog, like a girl usually would be.
The much more likely story, is some sort of love affair between the narrator ( WHO IS FEMALE!), and Billy Joe. For some reason they feel compelled to keep the relationship a secret. That is the great mystery, along with why he killed himself. The abortion theory, makes some sense. However, why did they keep the relationship such a secret? Was he so much of an outcast ( wrong side of the tracks syndrome), that she could not have an open friendship? Was he just depressed like many teenagers?
@greg100869 The relationship was secret because the narrator's parents were angling to match her up with Brother Taylor (the young preacher.) If they knew she was having any sort of relationship with Billy Joe, they'd forbid her from seeing him, so she had to keep it on the DL.
@greg100869 The relationship was secret because the narrator's parents were angling to match her up with Brother Taylor (the young preacher.) If they knew she was having any sort of relationship with Billy Joe, they'd forbid her from seeing him, so she had to keep it on the DL.
That's why Mama mentions that Brother Taylor would be joining them for supper on Sunday. She's giving her notice to get fixed up for potential romance. Don't be too hard on Mama, though. Marrying off her daughter to a preacher would be a great way to ensure a...
That's why Mama mentions that Brother Taylor would be joining them for supper on Sunday. She's giving her notice to get fixed up for potential romance. Don't be too hard on Mama, though. Marrying off her daughter to a preacher would be a great way to ensure a secure future with a "good man" for at least one of her children.