I think this is a recognition of a girl/woman's own sexual power and a realization of its diminishing worth.
Young women have the control and power of selection, 'passing down from daughter to daughter...' Their vast choice of men are literally like leaves on a tree, as females of all species tend to be the natural arbiters of sex and desire. 'Let them there', mothers suggest to their daughters.
But as a woman ages, that power struggle between men and women reverses and it is often the boys who have become men that have a variety of choices.
The first and last lyrics refer to present tense: 'where the boys grew in the trees'. In other words, they are no longer there. Did she miss her chance to be with one out of caution or did she simply hold out too long?
@ctlizyrd I believe both interpretations work. My own feeling is more with your interpretation, though the prior one makes sense, too.
@ctlizyrd I believe both interpretations work. My own feeling is more with your interpretation, though the prior one makes sense, too.
Boys "grew on trees" meaning there were many.
Boys "grew on trees" meaning there were many.
I am more sanguine about women's choices after the kids are grown and the fact it is the woman's choice who she'll mate with and whose children she'll bear. And yet, the song tugs at the heartstrings and the nostalgia of once being so very, very, innocent.
I am more sanguine about women's choices after the kids are grown and the fact it is the woman's choice who she'll mate with and whose children she'll bear. And yet, the song tugs at the heartstrings and the nostalgia of once being so very, very, innocent.
I think this is a recognition of a girl/woman's own sexual power and a realization of its diminishing worth.
Young women have the control and power of selection, 'passing down from daughter to daughter...' Their vast choice of men are literally like leaves on a tree, as females of all species tend to be the natural arbiters of sex and desire. 'Let them there', mothers suggest to their daughters.
But as a woman ages, that power struggle between men and women reverses and it is often the boys who have become men that have a variety of choices.
The first and last lyrics refer to present tense: 'where the boys grew in the trees'. In other words, they are no longer there. Did she miss her chance to be with one out of caution or did she simply hold out too long?
@ctlizyrd I believe both interpretations work. My own feeling is more with your interpretation, though the prior one makes sense, too.
@ctlizyrd I believe both interpretations work. My own feeling is more with your interpretation, though the prior one makes sense, too.
Boys "grew on trees" meaning there were many.
Boys "grew on trees" meaning there were many.
I am more sanguine about women's choices after the kids are grown and the fact it is the woman's choice who she'll mate with and whose children she'll bear. And yet, the song tugs at the heartstrings and the nostalgia of once being so very, very, innocent.
I am more sanguine about women's choices after the kids are grown and the fact it is the woman's choice who she'll mate with and whose children she'll bear. And yet, the song tugs at the heartstrings and the nostalgia of once being so very, very, innocent.