Story Behind The Song

This is an old traditional song about a real hospital in New Orleans that primarily treated the poor.

Song Description

This is my arrangement of an old traditional public domain song.

Lyrics

St. James Infirmary Blues
Thomas Aaron Garlow - Traditional

I went down to old Joe's room,
on the corner by the square
Well, the drinks were bein' served as usual,
and the usual crowd was there

Well, on my left stood big Joe McKennedy,
and his eyes were bloodshot red
He was talkin' 'bout his long lost baby,
And these were the words he said:

I went down to the St. James Infirmary,
To see my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table,
so cold, so young, so fair

Go ahead!
Let her go, let her go,
God bless her, wherever she may be
She can search this world over,
She'll never find another man like me

There were sixteen coal black horses,
to pull that rubber tied hack
Seven girs went to the graveyard,
Only six of them are comin' back

When I die bury me in my straight leg britches,
Put on my black coat and my Stetson hat,
Put a $20 gold piece on my watch chain,
So all the boys will know I died standin' pat

Get me six crap shooters as pal bearers,
And six whores to sing me a song,
And a hot jazz band on my wagon,
So we can raise hell as we roll along

Well, now you've heard my story,
well, have another round of booze
And if anyone should ever, ever ask you,
I got them St. James Infirmary Blues