Meaning of "Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)" by Laura Nyro

The lyrics of "Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)" seem to paint a picture of a woman who is strong-willed and independent. Farmer Joe is portrayed as being on the receiving end of the woman's tough exterior, referencing her as the meanest woman he knows. The repeated phrases of "run, run, run" and the urgency to get a gun and run from love suggest that the woman is guarded and perhaps avoiding emotional entanglements. The mention of a date with a town shoe maker and needing to see about a man she knows hints at a sense of restlessness and a desire for change. The references to fire, gold rush, and a train whistle coming could symbolize a sense of urgency, transformation, and the need to keep moving forward in life despite challenges.