St. James Infirmary: Lyrics

Traditional

• LP Sings American Folksongs
• CD The Folkways Years

It was in old Joe's bar room
On the corner by the square
Well, the drinks they were served round as usual
And the usual crowd was there

Now, on my left there stood big Joe McKennedy,
And his eyes were bloodshot red
And he looked at the gang around him
And these are the very words he said

I went down to the St. James Infirmary
I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table
So cold, so pale, and fair

Let her go, let her go
God bless her, wherever she may be
She can ramble this wide world over
And never find another man like me

Now when I die please bury me
In my high top Stetson hat
Just put a $20 gold piece on my watch chain
So the gang will know I'm standing pat

I want six crap-shooters for my pall bearers
And a chorus girl to sing me a song
Put a jazz band on my hearse wagon
Just to raise hell as we roll along

And now that you have heard my story
I'll take another shot of booze
If anyone should happen to ask you
Well I've got the gambler's blues

Of note:

What a vocal! His smooth and silky voice lends a perfect tone to this grim tale about a guy who's lost his girl and starts planning his funeral. I'd take another shot of booze as well... the ravages of syphilis await and there's not a thing to be done.

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