Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “St. James Infirmary” by Rickie Lee Jones
The song ‘St. James Infirmary’ by Rickie Lee Jones speaks poetically of a heartbreaking true story, in which a young man visits the infirmary only to find his lover dead before him. The protagonist is in pain, recounting his story with sorrow and bewilderment as he recounts details of his beloved’s pallid body laid upon the table.
The historical setting of the song in the 1800s amongst the ragtime jazz atmosphere amplifies the gloom in the lyrics with a sense of suspenseful anticipation as the story continues. This sense of waiting adds to the protagonist’s sense of hopelessness as he vainly grieves for his lost lover.
The song interpretation provides an understanding of the hard truth of love – that although it is a beautiful thing, it can also lead to heartache and despair. It speaks to the fragility of life and the fruits of unrequited love, ultimately reminding us that life is too short to take it for granted. The protagonist’s anguish can be heard throughout the song, with the powerful words driving home what is surely a universal feeling.