In a message dated 3/20/01 3:59:11 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Amelia, what does Joni mean by "it was just a false alarm"? Jenny, a lot
of us old-timers here have batted this one around pretty good. I would
challenge some of you newbies & recent de-lurkers to examine the lyrics and
give us your take. I for one would love to read it! >>
Pretty simple. As you know, Hejira was written in a period of Joni healing
from a broken relationship. False alarm is a metaphor for a relationship
that Joni originally thought 'rang' true - but alas, a false alarm. The
fourth verse says it all. Joni is reflecting on her past man and her choice
to help 'hide the hurt' in this journey, and reflecting on a fellow
journeyer, Amelia Erhardt, whose image was conjured up as Joni viewed the
vapor trails while riding alone across the country (as Amelia was alone) -
Joni mixes her musings, and from the place of a wounded heart, feeling this
momentary kinship with Amelia as 'fellow solitary traveler' - Joni confides
in the conjured Amelia that her love affair ultimately proved to be a false
alarm.
