Ok, first verse - the Narrator's a subordinate of Captain William O, sets the stage-o
2nd Verse - William O proposes with some emotional blackmail
3rd Verse - Peggy O declines
4th Verse - William O asks theoretical question
5th Verse - William O threatens city & population
6th Verse - ** This verse breaks the pattern ** Someone calls Peggy O downstairs for a "last farewell" with William O, but gets the news he's dead & buried in LA.
7th Verse - Subordinate repeats 1st Verse
My realization/understanding (which for any/all of you tender readers may have come automatically or quickly) happened within the last number of years, say between 3-5; first heard the song back in '95/'96.
In Verse 6, a family member or friend of Peggy-O's sees an Army man coming up the walkway to the house and, believing it's William O, alert's Peggy O. It has to be the Subordinate who opens and ends the song.
Reflection
It puts the Subordinate Narrator much "deeper" into the story - he's not just a 3rd-person spectator, but played a most solemn role.
2nd Verse - William O proposes with some emotional blackmail
3rd Verse - Peggy O declines
4th Verse - William O asks theoretical question
5th Verse - William O threatens city & population
6th Verse - ** This verse breaks the pattern ** Someone calls Peggy O downstairs for a "last farewell" with William O, but gets the news he's dead & buried in LA.
7th Verse - Subordinate repeats 1st Verse
My realization/understanding (which for any/all of you tender readers may have come automatically or quickly) happened within the last number of years, say between 3-5; first heard the song back in '95/'96.
In Verse 6, a family member or friend of Peggy-O's sees an Army man coming up the walkway to the house and, believing it's William O, alert's Peggy O. It has to be the Subordinate who opens and ends the song.
Reflection
It puts the Subordinate Narrator much "deeper" into the story - he's not just a 3rd-person spectator, but played a most solemn role.