It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner of the square
They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red
And he turned his face to the people, these were the very words he said

I was down to St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table,
So sweet, cool and so fair

Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me

When I die please bury me in my high top Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
The gang'll know I died standing pat

Let her go, let her go God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me

I want six crapshooters to be my pallbearers
Three pretty women to sing a song
Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon
Raise hell as I stroll along

Let her go Let her go
God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide
World over
She'll never find a sweeter
Man as me


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

St. James Infirmary Lyrics as written by Irving Mills

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

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St. James Infirmary song meanings
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    General Comment

    modified version:

    was down in old Joe's barroom on the corner of the square drinks were being served as usual and a goodly crowd was there when up stood big joe mckennedy, his eyes were bloodshot red as he told to me his story, this is what he said

    I went down to st. james infirmary, I saw my baby there streched out on a long white table so sweet, so cold, so fair

    there were 16 colt black horses, hitched to my rubber tired hat there were seven women going to that graveyard, only six of them are comin' back

    let her go, let her go god bless her she never did love me she can look this whole world over, but she'll never find another man like me

    when I'm done I want you to bury me have a showgirl sing this song put a jazzband on my coffin to raise hell as I go along

    and now that you heard my story let's have another shot of booze and if anyone should ask you I've got those st. james infirmary blues

    antihexeon December 31, 2015   Link

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