Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
St. James Infirmary
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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On the corner by the square.
Drinks were being served as usual.
And the same old crowd was there.
On my left was Joe MacKennedy.
His eyes were blood-shot red.
His elbow on the bar he turned to me
I went down to St. James Infirmary.
I saw my baby there.
Stretched out on a long white table,
So sweet, so cold, so fair.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her.
Wherever she may be.
She can search this wide world over
She'll never find another man like me.
When I die bury me in my straight legged shoes
Box back coat and a stetson hat.
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain.
So the boys will know I died standing pat.
There were sixteen coal black horses
When the coachman's whip did crack
There are sixteen miles to the graveyard
But my baby's never ever coming back
Well now you've heard my sad story.
Boy hand me another shot of that booze.
And if any one should ask you
I've got the St. James Infirmary Blues.
I went down to St. James Infirmary.
I saw my baby there.
Stretched out on a long white table,
So sweet, so cold, so fair.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her.
Wherever she may be.
She can search this wide world over
She'll never find another man like me.
The song "St. James Infirmary" is a well-known traditional American blues song that has been recorded and covered by several artists. The song tells a story of a man who goes to Old Joe's Bar-room and meets his friend Joe MacKennedy. Joe tells this man that he went to the St. James Infirmary to see his baby, who was laid out on a long white table, so sweet, so cold, and so fair. The song also mentions the man's desire to be buried in his straight-leg shoes, box back coat, and a Stetson hat, along with a twenty-dollar gold piece on his watch chain, so the boys will know he died standing pat.
The lyrics of the song suggest a somber mood and convey the depth of the singer's feeling of sorrow and loss. The reference to the St. James Infirmary refers to a public hospital in London that served as a treatment center for patients with venereal diseases. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer's lover may have died from a sexually transmitted disease, which was a common cause of death during the early 20th century when the song was written.
In conclusion, "St. James Infirmary" is a melancholic yet fascinating song that has been widely covered in the blues and jazz repertoire. The song's lyrical content and mood suggest a tale of heartbreak and loss, a portrayal of the harsh realities of life during the early 20th century in America.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to Old Joe's Bar-room.
I went to a local bar.
On the corner by the square.
The bar was located on a street corner by a public square.
Drinks were being served as usual.
Alcoholic beverages were being served as per usual.
And the same old crowd was there.
The familiar group of regular patrons were present.
On my left was Joe MacKennedy.
There was a person named Joe MacKennedy sitting to my left.
His eyes were blood-shot red.
Joe MacKennedy's eyes were red and bloodshot, indicating that he may have been drinking excessively.
His elbow on the bar he turned to me
Joe MacKennedy leaned his elbow against the bar and faced me directly.
And these are the words he said.
Joe MacKennedy then spoke the following.
I went down to St. James Infirmary.
he went to a hospital
I saw my baby there.
He saw his significant other.
Stretched out on a long white table,
His significant other appeared to be at rest on a long, white table.
So sweet, so cold, so fair.
The person lying on the table appeared to be peaceful, lifeless, and beautiful.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her.
He wishes her well and hopes she finds happiness elsewhere.
Wherever she may be.
He doesn't know where she is or where she might go.
She can search this wide world over,
She may look for someone else if she chooses.
She'll never find another man like me.
He feels unique in his love for this person and is convinced she will not find anyone else like him.
When I die bury me in my straight legged shoes
He has specific instructions regarding how he wishes to be buried.
Box back coat and a stetson hat.
He has a particular choice for his clothing to be worn during his burial.
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain.
He wants a valuable piece of currency attached to his watch chain.
So the boys will know I died standing pat.
He wants his friends to know that he never compromised or gave in to others' wills.
There were sixteen coal black horses
There were 16 black horses pulling the carriage he was in during his funeral procession.
When the coachman's whip did crack
The coachman whipped the horses to begin moving.
There are sixteen miles to the graveyard
It was a 16 mile ride to the cemetery.
But my baby's never ever coming back
He feels his significant other is gone forever and will never return.
Well now you've heard my sad story.
The singer has finished telling his sad tale.
Boy hand me another shot of that booze.
The singer asks for another drink.
And if any one should ask you
If anyone asks about him, he has this story to tell.
I've got the St. James Infirmary Blues.
He is unhappy and bitter about the loss of his significant other.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.