This week’s prompts for Song Lyric Sunday are suitably downbeat signs of the times, relating to confinement, isolation and loneliness.

Which reminded me of this ultra-heavy blues from The Beatles’ white album. Somewhat ironically, it was recorded with all four Beatles together in a very small room at Abbey Road: confinement perhaps, but certainly no isolation or loneliness.

I clearly remember the day that this was released – November 22nd 1968, a Friday. I was at school and a number of us had pre-ordered and pre-paid for the album at the local record shop (that’s right kids, there used to be shops where you went to buy vinyl discs). During the lunch break one of our number was despatched – in flagrant contravention of school rules – by bicycle to pick up everyone’s copies.. I’m pretty sure I know what I was doing that evening too…

Yes I’m lonely wanna die
Yes I’m lonely wanna die
If I ain’t dead already
Ooh girl you know the reason why

In the morning wanna die
In the evening wanna die
If I ain’t dead already
Ooh girl you know the reason why

My mother was of the sky
My father was of the earth
But I am of the universe
And you know what it’s worth
I’m lonely wanna die
If I ain’t dead already
Ooh girl you know the reason why

The eagle picks my eye
The worm he licks my bone
I feel so suicidal
Just like Dylan’s Mr. Jones
Lonely wanna die
If I ain’t dead already
Ooh girl you know the reason why

Black cloud crossed my mind
Blue mist ’round my soul
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock ‘n’ roll
Wanna die yeah wanna die
If I ain’t dead already
Ooh girl you know the reason why

Written by Lennon & McCartney (officially, but this is John’s work)

Song Lyric Sunday 26 April 2020