St. James Infirmary
Traditional
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It was down in old Joe's barroom
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On the corner by the square.
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The drinks were served as usual,
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And the usual crowd was there.
On my left stood old Joe McKennedy
His eyes were bloodshot red.
He turned to the crowd around him
These are the very words that 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 young, so cold, so fair.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her,
Wherever she may be,
She may search this whole world over
She'll never find another man as sweet as me.
When I die oh Lord please bury me
In my high top Stetson hat
Put gold coins over my eyelids
So the boys will know I died standing pat.
Get six gamblers to be my pallbearers
Six chorus girls to sing me a song
Put a jazz band behind my hearse wagon
To raise hell as we roll along
Get sixteen coal black horses
To pull that rubber tired hack.
There's thirteen men going to the graveyard
Only twelve men are coming back.
Now that you've heard my story,
Let's have another round of booze
And if anyone should ask you
I've got those St. James infirmary blues!