phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

One of 16 vestal virgins

Posted by Lewis on April 29, 2005

In Reply to: One of the 16 vestal virgins posted by David FG on April 21, 2005

: : In the song "A Whiter Shade of Pale" there is one verse that I am hoping someone might be able to explain. "One of the 16 vestal virgins". It is almost at the end of the song. Thank you.

: The Vestal Virgins were those who tended the sacred fire at the temple of the goddess Vesta in Rome.

: If they lost their sacred virginity, they suffered the punishment of being buried alive.

: DFG

Did you know there is another (equally meaningless) verse that doesn't get played?

Frankly, the song could be entitled "About to puke" as the whiter shade of pale in the song plus the incomprehensible lyrics suggests that is a pretty likely outcome of the singers present state. mixing alcohol and cannabis has that effect...or so I'm told.

If caught in naughtiness, I'm sure the vestals would have taken the stand and say "I did not have sexual relations with that man". Andrew Marvell would have had something to say, I'm sure.

L

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.