The Fates (Greek mythology)

“I was in my tower weaving nightmares”

Angela & Uncle Jerry identify 'weaving' as the perfectly chosen word because in Greek mythology, three Fates sit on their dark looms and weave the future. Uncle Jerry calls this 'the perfectly chosen word' and connects it to the mythological tradition of fate being woven. He argues this is perfect for a poem grounded in mythological storytelling.

“We embroidered the memories of the time I was away Stitching, "We were just kids, babe”

Angela & Uncle Jerry connect the word 'stitching' to the Fates of Greek mythology, the three fates at their loom who weave and create a portrait of the future. Uncle Jerry notes she's 'weaving through, she's looking at the embroidery, the stitching of their lost love,' connecting the embroidery and stitching metaphors to the mythological tradition of the Moirai weaving destiny.

“These are the hands of fate”

Uncle Jerry identifies the bridge line 'These are the hands of fate' as an allusion to the three Fates of Greek mythology: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who spin, measure, and cut the thread of a human life. The personification of fate as having literal hands connects the song to the classical tradition of destiny as something authored by figures outside human control. Uncle Jerry reads this as Taylor suggesting that love, or the meeting of these two people, was arranged by forces beyond them.