The title, tune, and some of the lyrics for this 1982 song are borrowed directly from Gilbert O'Sullivan’s 1972 hit, but Nina Simone’s version puts a biting twist on the original. Contrasting with O'Sullivan’s maudlin lyrics about a man who becomes suicidal after being stood up at the altar, Simone’...
I remember this afternoon
When my sister came into the room
She refused to say how my father was
But I knew he'd be dying soon
And I was oh so glad, and it was oh so sad
That I realized that I despised this man I once called Father
In his hanging on, with fingers clutching
His body now just eighty-eight pounds
Blinded eyes still searching
For some distant dream, that had faded away at the seams
Dying alone, naturally
I was his favourite child, I had him a little while
Just as long as I could play the piano and smile a little smile
Just when I needed him most, he was already a ghost
And for all my life there were promises,and they always have been broken
Leaving me alone with all my troubles
Not ever once touching me and saying
"Daughter, I'll help you get over."
Now he's fading away, and I'm glad to say
He's dying at last, naturally
It's a very sad thing to see that my mother with all her heart
Believes the words that the Bible said "Til death do us two part"
For her that was forever and ay, he deceived her night and day
How could some English words so small affect someone so strangely?
Taking her away from us, her soul included
She might as well be gone with him, all the children are excluded
Loneliness is hell, I know so well
For I'm alone, naturally
I waited three weeks for him to die
I waited three weeks for him to die
Every night he was calling on me
I wouldn't go to him
I waited three weeks for him to die
Three weeks for him to die
And after he died, after he died
Every night I went out, every night I had a fight
It didn't matter who it was with
'Cos I knew what it was about
And if you could read between lines, my Dad and I close as flies
I loved him then, and I loved him still, that's why my heart's so broken
Leaving me to doubt God in His mercy
And if He really does exist, then why did he desert me?
When he passed away, I smoked and drank all day
Alone again, naturally
Alone Again (Naturally) was written by Gilbert O’Sullivan & Nina Simone.
Alone Again (Naturally) was produced by Yves Chamberland & Giancarlo Cerri.