So what do you think the Smith's song Reel Around the Fountain is about?

Question

Some think it's about child abuse. I do not. I think it's about a first, lustful relationship, maybe that is one sided. "you took a child and you made him old" sounds like that first physical relationship to me, not really a young child. What do you other fans think? Lyrics included:
It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old

It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old


Reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Oh ...


Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were virtually dead
And they were so wrong


Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, well, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were easily led
And they were half-right
Oh, they ... oh, they were half-right, oh


It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
It's time that the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old


Oh, reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Ah ... oh ...


Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do.
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do.
Oh, I ... oh, I do
Oh ...


I dreamt about you last night
And I fell out of bed twice
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly
But "take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said
Two lumps, please
You're the bee's knees
But so am I


Oh, meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly
Oh ...


Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do.
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, no, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do.
Oh, I ... I do

And by the way, I think this is one of the best songs ever. It gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.

Answer 1

This is such a great song!! I love, love, love the Smiths.

Anyways, I think it's basically about sex and sexual desire. It's pretty blunt:

"Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no"

"Oh, meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly"

Definitely not about child abuse. I don't see how any of the lyrics can relate to child abuse, except maybe the very first lines but I don't think it was meant in that way.

Answer 2

How Soon Is Now The Queen Is Dead What Difference Does It Make Hand In Glove There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before Bigmouth Strikes Again Still Ill Rubber Ring This Charming Man The Headmaster Ritual

Answer 3

Having listening to that song several hundred times over the past 15 or so years, I would have to sum up your assessment as brief, consice, and most of all, correct.

Answer 4

I never thought it was literally about a child or child abuse. It could be about unrequited love or lust, as most of Mosser's songs seem to be about..

But "take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said