I'm finding this thread very interesting. I would echo what someone else has already said: It's often just the hint of the story that makes songs/tales so very interesting. And, we are all left to our own imaginations.

This does remind me of a brief conversation I had with Tom Paxton years ago. I've always enjoyed his song,"I Followed Her Into The West." I asked him if maybe he was inspired to write this song because of either the book, or the film, "Zorba, The Greek?" If you know the song, and the book, you might draw the parellel between the song and the widow's story.

His answer was a simple "no." Then he kinda smiled/grinned. I took that to mean something like: "Nope, you haven't caught me yet, but keep trying!" CHEERS, Bob