St James Infirmary Lyrics

It was down in old Joe's bar room

On the corner of the square

They were serving drinks as usual

And the usual crowd was there

On my left sat big Joe McKennedy

His eyes were bloodshot red

He turned to the bar around him

And these are the words he said

I went down to the St James infirmary

I saw my baby there

Stretched out on a long white table

So young so cool so fair

Let her go let her go God bless her

Wherever she may be

She could search this wide world over

And never find a sweet man like me

When I die bury me

In a John B Stetson hat

Twelve men go to the graveyard

But only eleven of them coming back

Six gamblers to carry my coffin

Six girls to sing me a song

Put a rebel band on my hearse wagon

To raise hell as I roll along

I went down to the St James infirmary

I saw my baby there

Stretched out on a long white table

So young so cool so fair

Let her go let her go God bless her

Wherever she may be

She could search this wide world over

And never find a sweet man like me

Now you've heard my story

I'll have another shot of booze

If anyone happens to ask you

I've got the St James infirmary blues

I try to keep from crying

My heart felt just like lead

She was all I had to live for

And I wish she was me instead

I went down to the St James infirmary

I saw my baby there

Stretched out on a long white table

So young so cool so fair

Let her go let her go God bless her

Wherever she may be

She could search this wide world over

And never find a sweet man like me