Together, Campbell and Lanegan formed a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They released a series of albums: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. Their third album Hawk was released in August 2010. The same year the live album "Live At The Barbican London 2010 " was released.
St. James Infirmary
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard my baby groan
And I felt so broken hearted
She used to be my
Used to be my very own
And I tried so hard to keep from crying
My heart felt just like lead
I just can wish it
Can wish that it was me instead
Now she's gone
She's gone, may god bless her
Wherever she may be
She has searched the whole wide world over
She'll never find
Never find another man like me
The song "St. James Infirmary" is a traditional American folk song about a man who goes down to the St. James Infirmary to see his love, only to find out that she has died. He is heartbroken and wishes that he could take her place instead. The lyrics are melancholic and paint a picture of a man who is deeply in love and devastated by the loss of his beloved.
The imagery of the St. James Infirmary is used as a metaphor for the end of life and the fear of death. The man is mourning not just the loss of his love, but also the inevitable end of his own life. The lyrics also touch on the idea of a person being irreplaceable, with the man believing that his love will never find another man like him.
Overall, the song is a poignant portrayal of love and loss, death and mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to St. James Infirmary
I went to the hospital known as St. James Infirmary
I heard my baby groan
I overheard my beloved significant other making noise and sounds of distress or pain
And I felt so broken hearted, She used to be my
I felt anguished and heavy-hearted as this person used to be my partner in love and life
Used to be my very own
They have a sense of ownership and closeness with this person
And I tried so hard to keep from crying
I attempted to refrain myself from shedding tears
My heart felt just like lead
They were overwhelmed with emotions and their heart felt as heavy as a metal material - lead
She was all that I had to live for
Their loved one was their sole reason or purpose for living
I just can wish it
The only thing I can do is hope
Can wish that it was me instead
I desire that the circumstances were different and that I was the one in pain instead of my partner
Now she's gone
Their loved one has passed away
She's gone, may god bless her
They hope that their loved one will receive blessings from a higher power
Wherever she may be
They do not know where their loved one is, but they hope that she is at peace
She has searched the whole wide world over
Their loved one has traveled throughout the world in search of something
She'll never find
Their partner will never again have the opportunity to find
Never find another man like me
They believe that nobody else can compare to them as a partner
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alf Clausen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
influenza musk
I love this cover more than the original.
Mark Lancaster
RIP Mark Lanegan
Gant Allen
Dave played a great solo on this.
banjo kentish-branes
Great song!
Le Paca
So cold, so wise, so fair...
Maureen Heck
RIP 🙏🏻 MARK🙏🏻
BeauSummer
loooooooove this
Vaerah
Amazing track. Guy on the right always reminds me of Ron Perlman.
Andjelko Zlotvor
@laura cooskey Will Ferrell on a dark horse in a sleepy hollow...
laura cooskey
Yeah, i see that, though more often Will Ferrell.