Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, the many authors of St. James Infirmary: "What is the meaning of this song?"

Clay sculpture by
P.J. Woodland

I was listening to the CBC radio program, Under the Influence with Terry O’Reilly. As an introduction to a piece on architecture he spoke about Paul Simon’s song “So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright.”

O’Reilly reported that Simon wrote this during the much-delayed completion of the Simon and Garfunkel album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. Art Garfunkel was pursuing an acting career, and Simon realized this was the end of their partnership.

He wrote “So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright,” which wasn’t about Frank Lloyd Wright. It was a “so long” to Art Garfunkel.

So long, Frank Lloyd Wright
All of the nights we'd harmonize 'til dawn
I never laughed so long
So long, so long

This had me reflecting on Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe." This is not about a girl. It's a response to his fans, who were smothering him with their expectations.

"It Ain't Me, Babe" appeared on Dylan's fourth album, 1964's Another Side of Bob Dylan. By this time he had already released "Blowin' In The Wind," "Masters of War," "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," "The Times They Are A-Changin'," "When The Ship Comes In," and so on.

His fans were ecstatic. "He speaks for us!" "He's the voice of our generation!" "He tells it like it is!," "I believe in him!" Dylan was 22 years old. He saw himself as a songwriter, not as a prophet, and not as a spokesperson for the righteously indignant..

I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe ...

This, of course, started me thinking about "St. James Infirmary." Although SJI was not deliberately written as a cloaked message, it is a song with many interpretations. And many variations.

Rob Walker, in his book Letters From New Orleans (an indispensable read for anyone visiting New Orleans!!!) and a chapter fittingly titled, st. james infirmary, wrote:
"... I couldn't stop thinking about the song. What did it mean? Where did it come from? I began to concoct theories ..."

Concocting theories led to Rob starting the world's first blog dedicated to St. James Infirmary. That's where we met.

Here's an early recording (October, 1929). The Hokum Boys from a 78 rpm record that shows no author. "Where did it come from?"