What is the meaning of the words to the Reuben and Rachel song?

Answer 1

I'm glad you asked that. I have a theory that it has to do with the British practice of "penal transportation." In the 18th century, British prisons were bulging with criminals and political prisoners (chiefly Irish). Until 1776, the Government was able to send prisoners to America. It was against the law to deport prisoners so they used a legal concept called "transportation." By the 1780s, the prison population, both male and female, was so large that many prisoners were housed in the holds of derelict ships in the harbors. Under horrible conditions, as we can imagine. Then, from 1788 to 1868, they transported prisoners to Australia (also Norfolk Island and Van Dieman's Land, now known as Tasmania).

Now, along comes the abolition of transportation in 1868 (although it had been ended to parts of Australia already). Reuben and Rachel was published in 1871. So the concept of "transportation" was much more familiar than when you and I heard the song as children, especially here in the US, where I live. The lyrics are ironically humorous and playfully flirtatious. It's like, "If they can send a man to the Moon, why not all of them?" The song begins with Rachel bemoaning that men are difficult and do not pay any romantic attention to her. Reuben responds that he's looking for romance. Then they have a bit of push and tug suggestive dialog concluding with:

Reuben, now do stop your teasing, if you've any love for me.

I was only just a-fooling, as I thought of course you'd see.
Rachel, I will not transport you, but will take you for a wife.
We will live on milk and honey, better or worse, we're in for life.