Last time we began in earnest with the song, Pretty Fair Maid in the Garden.

A stranger approaches a young woman and does not hesitate, but asks her if she would be his bride. An odd occurrence, for sure. The young maid does not hesitate, and rebuffs him, by telling the stranger that she’s committed to a soldier that has been gone for “seven long years.” And then adds, “if he’s gone for seven years longer” — committed to him she will remain.

It’s hard to imagine a more direct and clear response. Her pledge of loyalty to her lover is the strongest and most sure thing in her life. It is seemingly more important . . . than her very life itself. Her life, in large part, is on hold . . . until he returns. Which is something that this stranger immediately recognizes, for he decides to challenge her.

What if . . . he has died? What if, he has even married someone else? Would this not free her of her obligation, and would she not want to be freed? Even in the Old Testament, it is clear that the death of someone you are bound to by contract, disposes of that contract, and frees you. And shouldn’t you be free to go ahead with your own life and marry someone else, if they had broken the contract, and already done the same?

But the pretty fair maid evidently disagrees. She immediately replies to the stranger:

“Well if he’s drown, I hope he’s happy

Or if he’s on some battlefield slain . . . 

And if he’s to some fair girl married

I’ll love the girl that married him.”

Well, well. What, on earth, can we make of this?

She seems just a little flip and unconcerned about the fact her soldier may have drowned. But if this has already occurred, there is little she can do about it, right? But what about her? Shouldn’t she think of herself, and that if she remains unresponsive to the overtures of others, she will forever remain alone? It does not seem to concern her.

And it is no different, if he died on a battlefield. As a matter of fact, she does not even bother to complete the thought.

And what could be worse than he forsook her and has married another? Would she at the very least be an utter fool to continue to wait for him? But not only does this not provoke her, she quickly sides with his new love, forsakes herself altogether, and not only wishes well for this woman, but will love her.

How is this even possible?

And right here . . . is an opportunity to better understand what this song and story are really about. Sometimes it takes the extreme to make a point, does it not?

Can’t wait until . . .

Next time.
Sam