Littlelifegiver, I appreciate someone atually taking the time to explain their theory, as opposed to just stating that this song is "obviously" about an abortion, without feeling that they might have to justify that statement at all. I really liked your interpretation of the "staring up at the stars" part in particular. However, Joanna has said that she looks at this album as kind of like a 24 hour period in the narrator's life, and one interviewer suggested each disc was like a chapter in a novel, and Joanna agreed with this idea. What seems telling to me is that she chose to place On a Good Day, immediately after Baby Birch. The lyrics to On a Good Day, most definitely support the idea of the death of an imagined life, as opposed to an abortion:
On A Good Day
Hey hey hey, the end is near!
On a good day, you can see the end from here.
But I won't turn back, now, though the way is clear;
I will stay for the remainder.
I saw a life, and I called it mine.
I saw it, drawn so sweet and fine,
and I had begun to fill in all the lines,
right down to what we'd name her.
Our nature does not change by will.
In the Winter 'round the ruined mill,
The creek is lying, flat and still;
it is water, though it's frozen.
So, 'cross the years and miles and through,
on a good day, you can feel my love for you.
Will you leave me be, so that we can stay true
To the path that you have chosen?
Yes, it was the hearing of On A Good Day that originally made me turn away from the abortion theory. It doesn't seem to be about an abortion -- though it technically could be, that's not what I would hypothesize and certainly throws a wrench into my thoughts on Baby Birch. But at the same time, leaves questions about Baby Birch that I would think of previously answered.
Yes, it was the hearing of On A Good Day that originally made me turn away from the abortion theory. It doesn't seem to be about an abortion -- though it technically could be, that's not what I would hypothesize and certainly throws a wrench into my thoughts on Baby Birch. But at the same time, leaves questions about Baby Birch that I would think of previously answered.
Littlelifegiver, I appreciate someone atually taking the time to explain their theory, as opposed to just stating that this song is "obviously" about an abortion, without feeling that they might have to justify that statement at all. I really liked your interpretation of the "staring up at the stars" part in particular. However, Joanna has said that she looks at this album as kind of like a 24 hour period in the narrator's life, and one interviewer suggested each disc was like a chapter in a novel, and Joanna agreed with this idea. What seems telling to me is that she chose to place On a Good Day, immediately after Baby Birch. The lyrics to On a Good Day, most definitely support the idea of the death of an imagined life, as opposed to an abortion:
On A Good Day
Hey hey hey, the end is near! On a good day, you can see the end from here. But I won't turn back, now, though the way is clear; I will stay for the remainder.
I saw a life, and I called it mine. I saw it, drawn so sweet and fine, and I had begun to fill in all the lines, right down to what we'd name her.
Our nature does not change by will. In the Winter 'round the ruined mill, The creek is lying, flat and still; it is water, though it's frozen.
So, 'cross the years and miles and through, on a good day, you can feel my love for you. Will you leave me be, so that we can stay true To the path that you have chosen?
Yes, it was the hearing of On A Good Day that originally made me turn away from the abortion theory. It doesn't seem to be about an abortion -- though it technically could be, that's not what I would hypothesize and certainly throws a wrench into my thoughts on Baby Birch. But at the same time, leaves questions about Baby Birch that I would think of previously answered.
Yes, it was the hearing of On A Good Day that originally made me turn away from the abortion theory. It doesn't seem to be about an abortion -- though it technically could be, that's not what I would hypothesize and certainly throws a wrench into my thoughts on Baby Birch. But at the same time, leaves questions about Baby Birch that I would think of previously answered.
I'm definitely unsure at this point.
I'm definitely unsure at this point.
Me too! I can't tell, but knowing Joanna, it's billions of themes rolled into one. It could be about abortion and/or everything else in the world.
Me too! I can't tell, but knowing Joanna, it's billions of themes rolled into one. It could be about abortion and/or everything else in the world.