The Secrets of the Old

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator who has inherited a unique and intimate knowledge, a collection of "old women's secrets." This knowledge spans from the passionate desires of youth to the quiet wisdom gained over a lifetime. The narrator contrasts their current state with their past self, suggesting a shift in perspective where once-potent thoughts now sound like distant echoes, "like an old song." This inherited wisdom creates a peculiar "solitude" shared among three figures: the narrator, Madge, and Margery. Though Margery is silenced by Madge's presence, their shared knowledge forms a bond that excludes the present world. They possess stories and insights that no one else alive can comprehend, setting them apart from contemporary understanding. The core of their shared knowledge lies in the intricate details of human relationships and desire across time. They know which men were most appealing, the duration of various loves, and the diverse experiences of intimacy, from humble "bed of straw" to luxurious "bed of down." This suggests a deep, almost anthropological understanding of romance and connection, gathered from generations of lived experience.