St. James Infirmary
Bobby "Blue" Bland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I heard my baby groan
Said I felt lonesome, broken-hearted
And she used to be mine, lord, well, my very own
I tried so hard to keep from crying
Then my heart felt just like lead
She was all that I had to live for
Now she's gone, she's gone and may God bless her
Wherever, oh lord, she may be crying, lord
She have searched this wide world all over
No, but she never found a man, well, fine like me
She's gone, oh lord
Well, she's gone, baby
Lord, yeah, yeah
In Bobby "Blue" Bland's song St. James Infirmary, the singer visits a hospital where he hears his former lover moaning. The singer reveals that he feels lonely and broken-hearted over the loss of this woman who was "his very own." He tries to hold back his tears, but his heart feels like lead over the situation. This woman was all the singer had to live for, and he wishes that it was him who had passed away instead.
The singer then states that she's gone, and he hopes that God blesses her wherever she may be crying. She searched the whole world, but she never found a man as fine as the singer. The song ends with the singer repeating that she's gone, conveying his feelings of loss and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to St. James Infirmary
I went to a place where sick people go in order to ease my burdens
Then I heard my baby groan
As I was there, I heard the person I love in pain and anguish
Said I felt lonesome, broken-hearted
Hearing my beloved in such pain made my heart heavy with sadness and loneliness
And she used to be mine, lord, well, my very own
I used to have this person all to myself, but now they are suffering and I can't do anything to help
I tried so hard to keep from crying
I struggled to avoid showing my emotions and didn't want to cry
Then my heart felt just like lead
Despite my efforts, my heart still felt heavy with sorrow like a piece of lead
She was all that I had to live for
This person was my reason for living and the source of my happiness
Whoa, I just wish it were me, my lord
I wish that I could take on their pain and suffering instead
Now she's gone, she's gone and may God bless her
This person has passed away and I pray that God blesses their soul
Wherever, oh lord, she may be crying, lord
I hope that wherever she may be in the afterlife, she is no longer suffering and in pain
She have searched this wide world all over
She had lived her life fully and explored many parts of the world
No, but she never found a man, well, fine like me
Despite her travels, she never found someone as good as me
She's gone, oh lord
I am still coming to terms with the fact that she has passed away
Well, she's gone, baby
The person I loved is no longer here with me
Lord, yeah, yeah
I am feeling deep emotions and turning to a higher power for comfort and support
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE PRIMROSE, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@faithfields9421
I went down to St. James Infirmary
Then I heard my baby groan and
I felt so broken-hearted
she used to be my very own
I tried so hard to keep from crying
my heart felt just like lead
She was all that I had to live for
Whoa, I just wish it were me instead
Now she's gone, she's gone and may God bless her
Wherever she may be
She have searched this wide world all over
Oh but she never found a man like me
She's gone, she’s gone, she’s gone
@GREATTECH1
IT ABSOLUTELY IS THE BEST VERSION, EVER! Bobby's voice is as smooth as silk, and the musicians are all on point.
I've loved this song for YEARS!
@deloreswillis9224
OmGOD yesssssss his silken voice when he was much younger❤ I fell in love with this smooth silk music when I was 11 tender age😂 RIP ROBERT CALVIN BLAND❤💋🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
@herbertjones5932
Bobby was a giant among the bluesman. When we lost Bobby, we lost one of the great ones. It will be a long time before someone comes along and pick up the ball where Bobby left off. R.I.P. Bobby Blue Bland.
@pirate259
Never going to happen!
@sweetrob51
there will never be another Bobby Bland, he was a once in a life time blues singer. I'm 65 and don't have another life time to wait, so Bobby Bland was it for me.
@iancofer4947
Herbert Jones fr real luv this man's music resonates in my soul
@fluidwings2078
Pick up the ball? Ball still bouncing,new person has to catch rhythm
@markbridwell8972
Fluid Wings _ _ you have aptly stated it !
@mooniec75
My daddy listened to this song so much after my mama died. I knew he loved her but now actually listening to this I understand the depth of love he had for her. They were married for almost 50 years. I hope I find someone to love me like that.
@MsHiflying
Prayers. I can relate.