Songfacts®:

• This is an unusual song written with an Olde Englishe feel to it, but students of music history will appreciate the Dowland influence. John Dowland (c1563-1626) was the pre-eminent singer-songwriter of his day; a collection of his songs - including "Come Again" - was released by Sting in 2006.
• Although "A Long Way Down From Stephanie" was not recorded using Dowland's instrument - the lute - the melody and the phrasing are strikingly similar in style.
• The last two lines read:
  
  And though lost at six, if I should live to be seven
  I might forget Stephanie
  
  This is not some sort of abstruse personal code; the six refers to six years. Stephanie was the first girl Stewart ever kissed, at this tender age in his kindergarten class. She would shortly reappear in his epic song "Love Chronicles." >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above