[vlmagee]

Well, for one thing it wasn't written by Lightfoot. It was written by Shel Silverstein and Vince Matthews, and is one of the handful of songs by other artists that Lightfoot recorded over the years (that fact speaks volumes).

I'm afraid I don't remember the details but I believe Susan was a woman known to the singer/songwriters of the era, and opened her home to many of them when they were traveling or between gigs. Kind of a musicians' sanctuary. I think Jim Croce may be another that she hosted. Perhaps Lightfoot. I don't remember the details; perhaps somebody else does.

The lyrics make a lot more sense in that context! And, even if Lightfoot did not know this Susan, I'm sure he could say the same of someone else and that's why he chose to record this song.