I was talking to an anarcho-capitalist about minimum wage and it struck me that he was a bit like Monkey from Monkey and Bear and Bear was the worker:
"Now, you know that we must unlearn this
allegiance to a life of service,
and no longer answer to that heartless
hay-monger, nor be his accomplice
(that charlatan, with artless hustling!)
but Ursala, we've got to eat something!
and earn our keep while still within
the borders of the land that menace girded
(all double-bolted and tight-fisted!)
until we reach the open country,
a-steeped in milk and honey!
Will you keep your fancy clothes on for me?
Can you bear a little longer to wear that leash?
My love, I swear by the air I breathe:
sooner or later you'll bare your teeth!"
Y'know, keep debasing yourself for a pittance and eventually we'll get to this imaginary paradise. I guess it's not wholly unintended, since I think it's meant to be a song about power structures within relationships, and that could be the relationship between the capitalist and working classes, too.
Have you ever interpreted her songs in a way she probably never realised they could be interpreted?