Nicely done, Spaw. Had me right up to the punchline.

I think the baby angle is far-fetched. I'm with the "it doesn't matter" school.

Of course it's all a STORY, so if the STORY doesn't say what was thrown off, there is no RIGHT answer. Just what your imagination dreams up. Which is why the song is so mesmerizing after all these years. It sketches a picture, but doesn't fill in all the lines. Which makes it seem MORE real rather than less. Very artful.

It's not Shakestoor, but it's a perfectly fine country-pop ballad. And as pointed out, the arrangement is atmospherically perfect.

Alex
O..O
=o=