The perception of marriage
The perception of marriage has changed over the years. Some view it as a symbol of long life commitment and happiness while to others; it’s a closed unit that limits one to freedom. This difference in marriage perception has been expressed in both Cold, Rain, and Snow by Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra and The Rake’s Song by the Decemberists. The tone, theme, and story each of these songs narrate showcases how different people respond to the failures of marriage.
Love and marriage is a primary theme portrayed in these songs. The persona in both songs was in love and got married. The lyric “He took me for his wife” (Hayde 43:56-44:03) in Rain and Snow indicates the act of love in the aspect of marriage. Similarly, the line “I had entered into marriage” (Decemberists 0:08-0:12) in The Rake’s Song perfectly illustrates this as the narrator points out how he entered in this institution.
Also, another common theme shown in these two songs is bitterness. In the song Cold, Rain, and Snow, the narrator says, “I’ve done all I can do to try to get along with you, but I ain’t gonna be treated this way” (Hayde 44:37-44:55). The lyric illustrates how the wife is bitter because she tries to please the husband, but in turn, she’s treated coldly. Likewise, the line “Until her womb starts spilling out babies, only then did I reckon my curse” (Decemberists 0:42-0:49) in The Rakes Song, the persona is bitter. This is because the wife is continuously giving birth and is viewing it as a curse.
The songs treat the theme of marriage similarly by showing how both personas were unhappy. In The Rake’s Song, the persona experienced unhappiness when the wife started giving birth and viewed them as a burden. In Rain and Snow, the husband mistreated the wife as she laments, “No, I ain’t gonna be treated this way” (Hayde 45:06-45:13) in the song. However, they treat the end of their marriages differently as onpersona is sad; it’s over, while the other one is happy.
The reaction towards the ending of the character’s marriages showcases their level of sympathy. In The Rake’s Song, the character is not sympathetic. He is happy that his wife died in childbirth went ahead to kill his children as they were a burden to him. This is illustrated when he says, “Expect you think that I should be haunted but it never really bothers me” (Decemberist 2:47-2:54). This statement makes the persona from Rain and Snow song more sympathetic.
The theme of love and marriage transcends time and culture because marriage is one of the earliest institutions that is being practiced up to date. Most cultures still value marriage as its viewed as a requirement even though its perspectives have changed over time. Marriage is something that despite its many challenges, it will never end.
To conclude, marriage is an institution that, when it ends, people deal with it differently. The story in both these songs is just a reflection of how married people in society react to the end of it. Some are very happy and in most cases signifies the start of a new life of freedom where they can live as they please. However, to others, it’s an unfortunate affair as they gave their all to try and make it work, but unfortunately, it ends in heartbreak.