Tragedy
Norah Jones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy

He was only twenty five
Had an open heart and tender mind
He sang through all the hymns he knew
He was searching for a higher sign
When his water was turned to wine
All the darkness became light

Babies and a patient wife
They just wouldn't have to keep him high
So he gave them up just to fill his cup
Every sip would make him feel alive
No bones in his body were dry

It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy

Now he's finally come around
He's got wrinkles and a crooked friend
He holds back tears thinking of the years
That the bottle had him all down
So he'd sit have another round
Singing hallelujah 'til he drowns

It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy




Mhm, mhm, mhm
Mhm

Overall Meaning

This song by Norah Jones, "Tragedy," is a song that tells the story of a man who starts off in life with an open heart and a tender mind, and who is searching for a higher meaning in life. He sings through all the hymns he knows, and when he experiences a miracle, turning water into wine, this seems to confirm his faith that there is a higher power in the universe. However, as time passes, he becomes addicted to alcohol, giving up his family and responsibilities for the sake of his addiction. Finally, when he is older and wiser, and has seen the error of his ways, he looks back on his wasted years and mourns the tragedy of his loss.


The lyrics of the song are powerful and emotive, using the symbol of the transformed water to signal the transformative power of the divine. The man's descent into addiction is described in vivid terms, with everything in his life being sacrificed for the sake of another drink. The tragedy lies in the loss of his potential, the life he could have lived if he had not given in to his addiction. The song is tragic in its portrayal, and yet ultimately hopeful, as it suggests that there is always a chance for redemption, even in the darkest moments of life.


Line by Line Meaning

It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


He was only twenty five
The subject of the story was a young man who had not yet had the opportunity to experience much of life.


Had an open heart and tender mind
The young man was kind and compassionate, with a willingness to connect with others on an emotional level.


He sang through all the hymns he knew
The young man was deeply spiritual and expressed this through his religious singing.


He was searching for a higher sign
The young man was seeking meaning and clarity in his life.


When his water was turned to wine
The young man's life was transformed, and he experienced a profound change.


All the darkness became light
The transformation the young man experienced brought clarity and enlightenment to his life.


Babies and a patient wife
The young man had a family that relied on him and loved him.


They just wouldn't have to keep him high
The young man had turned to substance abuse to cope with life's challenges and felt he needed to continue using to make it through each day.


So he gave them up just to fill his cup
In order to continue to use drugs, the young man sacrificed his relationships and commitments.


Every sip would make him feel alive
Using drugs became the only way the young man felt he could truly experience life.


No bones in his body were dry
The young man fully embraced his addiction and was constantly using.


Now he's finally come around
Years later, the young man has realized the error of his ways and is turning his life around.


He's got wrinkles and a crooked friend
The years of drug abuse have taken a physical and emotional toll on the young man.


He holds back tears thinking of the years
The young man is mournful for the time he lost to addiction.


That the bottle had him all down
The young man recognizes that it was alcoholism that controlled his life for so long.


So he'd sit have another round
Despite the realization that he needs to quit drinking, the young man is still struggling to overcome his addiction.


Singing hallelujah 'til he drowns
The young man feels that he is at a crossroads in his life, where he can either continue down the path of addiction or take control of his life and make a change.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


It's a tragedy
The situation, person, or event described in the lyrics is a terrible, sorrowful occurrence.


Mhm, mhm, mhm
An indistinct vocalization that adds emotional resonance to the end of the song.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Norah Jones, Sarah Oda

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@yummy.crayon

It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
He was only twenty five
Had an open heart and tender mind
He sang through all the hymns he knew
He was searching for a higher sign
When his water was turned to wine
All the darkness became light
Babies and a patient wife
They just wouldn't have to keep him high
So he gave them up just to fill his cup
Every sip would make him feel alive
No bones in his body were dry
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
Now he's finally come around
He's got wrinkles and a crooked friend
He holds back tears thinking of the years
That the bottle had a long time down
So he'd sit have another round
Singing hallelujah 'til it drowns
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
It's a tragedy
Mhm, mhm, mhm



All comments from YouTube:

@alposphere

This little group of us who is listening to this, we are a beautiful family.

@BlamesCoco

What a nice Monday with such nice music.

@mrsjamat86

perfect way to start a week

@mariabrasileiro7713

Linda!! Quantas saudades Norah mas valeu a espera <3

@xara_ninanile

Cristian Gómez
Also checkout I Did The Same by ninanile. It's a song I wrote. I wish to be a writer someday your support would mean so much. I hope you like it enough to subscribe and share it :)

@1ahmedaw

Nice!

@Alcoda777

Yes!! I was hoping she would go back to this sound, I'm in love

@Lexishness2010

I pity to the thumbs downer. Norah Jones music speaks to my soul. ♥

@julissachandler3141

Lexishness2010 yesssss❤❤❤

@Brandonkw2006

A reminiscent of the young Norah Jones
This reminds me how and why I love you so much

More Comments

More Versions