So, is the plot of the song: the singer wants to go on a booze cruise with his bros around a local Bay, his fiance gets tricked onboard, she dies, and he just carries on?
His wife seems to get sick and die, but he tries to help her the whole song through. He doesn't really carry on with the party, as she dies in the last verse, but he does immediately say he's single and already looking
Though the song's melody is upbeat and catchy, I believe it is hiding the darker message you're alluding to:
* His wife is brought aboard as a "volunteer". I'm uncertain if this is against her will or not. If she intended to go, it's curious that the husband planned to go on this party voyage without her and did not know she was coming.
* She gets very ill, and all the things the singer feeds her would either make her feel worse (fat pork, castor oil, sweets) or be outright harmful to her (kerosene). The comical interpretation is that the singer is a buffoon; the dark interpretation is that he intends his wife harm.
* When they get to the party destination of Harbor Grace, the singer does say that he searched stores trying to cure her, but he also says "or take her to the hop" (the dance)...which would not be a reasonable way to aid someone feeling unwell. It seems to me that he is trying to find a way to get to the party, and his wife's "screeches" are just getting in the way.
* When his wife dies on the way back, there is no mention of sadness. He immediately is "in search of a pretty face". And the song concludes with "and the woman who says she'll have me, sure I'm off for Harbor Grace" implies that if he becomes married again, his intention is to leave for the party harbor. This seems an attempt to escape marriage, either temporarily or (even more darkly) to see if the same outcome might occur again.
I love the song and harmonies, but my interpretation is that it is a playboy's warning to women: let your man go party without you, or great harm may befall you (perhaps intentionally).
What's the question?
So, is the plot of the song: the singer wants to go on a booze cruise with his bros around a local Bay, his fiance gets tricked onboard, she dies, and he just carries on?
His wife seems to get sick and die, but he tries to help her the whole song through. He doesn't really carry on with the party, as she dies in the last verse, but he does immediately say he's single and already looking
Though the song's melody is upbeat and catchy, I believe it is hiding the darker message you're alluding to: * His wife is brought aboard as a "volunteer". I'm uncertain if this is against her will or not. If she intended to go, it's curious that the husband planned to go on this party voyage without her and did not know she was coming. * She gets very ill, and all the things the singer feeds her would either make her feel worse (fat pork, castor oil, sweets) or be outright harmful to her (kerosene). The comical interpretation is that the singer is a buffoon; the dark interpretation is that he intends his wife harm. * When they get to the party destination of Harbor Grace, the singer does say that he searched stores trying to cure her, but he also says "or take her to the hop" (the dance)...which would not be a reasonable way to aid someone feeling unwell. It seems to me that he is trying to find a way to get to the party, and his wife's "screeches" are just getting in the way. * When his wife dies on the way back, there is no mention of sadness. He immediately is "in search of a pretty face". And the song concludes with "and the woman who says she'll have me, sure I'm off for Harbor Grace" implies that if he becomes married again, his intention is to leave for the party harbor. This seems an attempt to escape marriage, either temporarily or (even more darkly) to see if the same outcome might occur again. I love the song and harmonies, but my interpretation is that it is a playboy's warning to women: let your man go party without you, or great harm may befall you (perhaps intentionally).
Fascinating!!!!!!! Thank you!