Marleen

The speaker addresses Marleen, a woman who seems to be competing with her for the affection of the same man. She asks Marleen to leave, while admitting that the man is already partly attached to her rival. The feelings shift between pleading, jealousy, admiration, and fear of loss. The speaker’s request sounds firm in the repeated refrain, but the lyrics also reveal how insecure and vulnerable she feels.

Marleen is described through images of beauty: her hair shines like a field of stars, and her words are compared to the scent of flowers. These flattering comparisons make the speaker’s envy clear. The image of men as moths drawn to Marleen because she is “the light” suggests that her attractiveness seems to pull people toward her naturally. The speaker contrasts this with her own belief that she has only one man and has struggled for his love.

The song does not tell us what Marleen feels, or whether she is deliberately pursuing this particular man. The speaker wonders if he is merely a pastime for Marleen, but this may be suspicion rather than fact. Her plea could be seen as a claim on him, yet it also sounds like an appeal to someone she believes has more choices and power.