Clue 1: If taken at face value, events in this song unfold in 1974.
Clue 2: The song has been played live. On the night of the song's live debut, two other Maiden songs were played live for the very first time.
Clue 3:
A prominent part of the Maiden song in question is palpably inspired by a song from a self-titled early 70s debut album. On this album, the artist also performs a cover version of a trad blues song which is also covered by another big rock band, from which there goes a direct link to the Maiden song you're looking for. And yes, to thicken the plot, this big rock band has a song on their debut album where the artist with the self-titled early 70s album is mentioned.
The desperation of the situation getting graver: When The Wild Wind Blows, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Charlotte the Harlot, The Prisoner, The Writing on the Wall