Meaning of "St. James Infirmary" by Joe Cocker

The lyrics of "St. James Infirmary" speak to the themes of love, loss, and death. The narrator's visit to the infirmary to see their lover on a cold, white table portrays a sense of longing and sorrow. The desire to be buried in stylish attire and with valuable items symbolizes a desire to be remembered a certain way even in death. The act of stealing the lover back from the infirmary at the end could suggest a refusal to accept loss and a desire to defy death to keep the love alive. Overall, the song seems to explore the complexities of love, mortality, and the lengths one might go to for love.