In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Oh, Coco
Well, folks, I'm going down to St. James Infirmary
And seen my little baby there
She's stretched out on a long, white table
Well, she looks so good, so cold, so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
You may search this whole wide world over
But you'll never find another sweetheart like me
Yeah
Take apart your bones and put 'em back together
Tell your momma that you're somebody new
Feel the breeze blowin'
Tell 'em all, "Look out, here he comes"
Now I can say whatever I feel like to you
Then give me six crap-shootin' pallbearers
Let a chorus girl sing me a song
Put a red-hot jazz band at the top
We raise Hallelujah, as we go along
Well
Well, folks, now that you have heard my story
Say, boy, hand me another shot of that rye
And if anyone else should ask you
Just tell 'em
I've got some of those St. James Infirmary blues
Well, folks, I'm going down to St. James Infirmary
And seen my little baby there
She's stretched out on a long, white table
Well, she looks so good, so cold, so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
You may search this whole wide world over
But you'll never find another sweetheart like me
Yeah
Take apart your bones and put 'em back together
Tell your momma that you're somebody new
Feel the breeze blowin'
Tell 'em all, "Look out, here he comes"
Now I can say whatever I feel like to you
Then give me six crap-shootin' pallbearers
Let a chorus girl sing me a song
Put a red-hot jazz band at the top
We raise Hallelujah, as we go along
Well
Well, folks, now that you have heard my story
Say, boy, hand me another shot of that rye
And if anyone else should ask you
Just tell 'em
I've got some of those St. James Infirmary blues
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Although it's great to hear that so many people like this song as much as I do, would somebody perhaps take a shot at explaining the meaning of the lyrics because I haven't a clue. Did Jack White write the verses that arent included here?