This song seems to be one that’s forgotten more than some others, but it was a huge hit. On the Billboard charts for fourteen weeks, it was #1 four of those weeks, dominating radio airplay in the gap between the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” and “Hello Goodbye.”
I don’t know if the string arrangement was written ahead of time or was added later, because the producer felt the record “needed something.” Either way, the arrangement won a Grammy.
I love this one-hit wonder, especially Bobbie’s flawless live performance on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” It’s interesting to point out that this song and the two Beatles songs you mention all use simple, syllabic melodies. However, Gentry’s classic “story song” is much more intriguing than either Beatles hit you mention, fun as they are. Her relentless slow-moving train guitar also drives the plot along and gives an edge to the song. The strings aren’t necessary!