Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'? (PP&M)

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 05:09 PM

("Irish" because she "lives in the land where her father died".........)Could be some other ethnic strife place, too.

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 05:06 PM

I always thought it was sympathy for one who will never know love because, in her fears and unyeilding nature, she could never give it. A more artful way of describing those who won't risk for love.



...but I am probably wrong about this. Anyway, it's one of my favorite PPM cds too.

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 04:53 PM

Good idea, Joe. It sounds to me like, (Just My Opinon!!) that Jaime is a lonely, alone, pregnant Irish teen.......it would asnwer all the questions.........

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 04:48 PM

You know, Mark, if you go to http://www.peterpaulandmary.com, you'll find a link for posting questions about PP&M - It goes to [e-mail]. Frodo (Rick Stehn) has a vast knowledge of PP&M's music, and he also has direct contact with PP&M and can ask Peter if he doesn't know the answer himself. Tell him Joe Offer says hello.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: bbelle
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 10:03 AM

Album 1700 and Album are in the top five of my favorite PPM albums. I love the ethereal sound of Weep for Jamie and the harpsichord (I think). In those days, I didn't always try to find the "meaning" of a song. Just took for granted that it meant something. Youth, idealism, and naivete at its best.

Subject: RE: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 03:29 AM

Hi, Mark - I think you have the lyrics pretty close to the original Peter Yarrow composition, but you can Click here to get to the official lyrics at the PP&M Website. I checked the liner notes for the album, and they said nothing about the song.

Album 1700 was a departure from their previous work, but I've always kinda liked it.

-Joe Offer-

WEEP FOR JAMIE Peter Yarrow-Pepamar Music Corp- ASCAP The other side of Jamie's door is aching loneliness. One, two, three, four, she dances with the ancient fears, with porcelain smiles and wetless tears, (Chorus) Weep for Jamie. For the bones that tear at her flesh inside, Weep for Jamie, She lives in the land where her father died. Don't try to answer her helpless call, She can't hear your words she feels nothing at all. With no tomorrow promised by today. She's the child of emptiness yesterday. (Chorus) I'll sing you one of a song without an end, I'll sing you two of a tree that cannot bend, I'll sing you three of a wound* that never filled, And the fourth deepest wound and the love that it killed. (Chorus) *womb never filled????

Source: https://www.peterpaulandmary.com/music/08-03.htm

Subject: Meaning of 'Weep for Jamie'?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 03:12 AM

Here I am on vacation in Kona, and I still can't stay off the 'Cat! Recently I've been listening to Peter Paul & Mary's Album 1700. (CD 1700 just doesn't have the same ring...) I realized that I don't understand the song "Weep for Jamie" any better than I did in 1970. I once thought it might be about a woman who had an abortion, but some of the lines don't make sense in that context. Now I know there is the "don't worry about what it means, just sing it" school, but it seems to me there is a meaning that I'm just too dense to get. Enlightenment, anyone?

Since it's not in the DT, I'll put the lyrics here, as best as I can remember them. Sorry, I don't know the author or copyright info.

The other side of Jamie's door
Is aching loneliness, one, two, three, four
She dances with the ancient fears
With porcelain smiles and wetless tears

(CHO) Weep for Jamie, for the bones that tear at her flesh inside
Weep for Jamie, she lives in the land where her father died

Don't try to answer her helpless call
She can't hear your words, she feels nothing at all
With no tomorrow promised by today
She's the child of emptiness, yesterday

(CHO)

I'll sing you one of a love without an end
I'll sing you two of a tree that cannot bend
I'll sing you three of a womb never filled
And the fourth deepest wound and the love that it killed

(CHO)

Aloha,
Mark