This was Irish singer Gilbert O'Sullivan's only American #1. It sold 2 million copies, spent 6 weeks at the summit in America and earned him 3 Grammy Award nominations (Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year).
This is a rather sad tale of the lonely, suicidal subject of the song being left at the altar and then telling the listener about the death of his parents.
Lyrics:
In a little while from now, If I'm not feeling any less sour I promised myself to treat myself And visit a nearby tower, And climbing to the top, Will throw myself off In an effort to make it clear to who Ever what it's like when your shattered Left standing in the lurch, at a church Where people 're saying, \"My God that's tough, she stood him up! No point in us remaining. May as well go home.\" As I did on my own, Alone again, naturally
To think that only yesterday, I was cheerful, bright and gay, Looking forward to, but who wouldn't do, The role I was about to play But as if to knock me down, Reality came around And without so much as a mere touch, Cut me into little pieces Leaving me to doubt, All about God and His mercy For if He really does exist Why did He desert me In my hour of need? I truly am indeed, Alone again, naturally
It seems to me that There are more hearts Broken in the world That can't be mended Left unattended What do we do? What do we do?
(instrumental break)
Now looking back over the years, And what ever else that appears I remember I cried when my father died Never wishing to have cried the tears And at sixty-five years old, My mother, God rest her soul, Couldn't understand, why the only man She had ever loved had been taken Leaving her to start with a heart So badly broken Despite encouragement from me No words were ever spoken And when she passed away I cried and cried all day Alone again, naturally Alone again, naturally