She's / She'd been married… BEFORE

Status
Not open for further replies.

meskete

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
So there's this song about Henry VIII. According to different sources, the lyrics go like this:

"I'm Henery the Eighth, I am,
Henery the Eighth I am, I am!
I got married to the widow next door,
She'd been married seven times before." etc.

Now, there's this version played by Herman's Hermits.
(You can have a look at my favourite one: I'm Henry the VIII - Herman's Hermits - YouTube)
My problem is that they actually sing "she's been married seven times before".
Well, NOW she's the wife of Henry VIII, so those seven guys came before this one.

Can I have the opinion of native speakers from all around the world? Do you consider it correct, unusual but acceptable or wrong?
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
I prefer the past perfect as it refers to the time before she married the singer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top