Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
St. James Infirmary
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Saw my baby there
Stretched out on a long white table
So sweet, so cold, so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She can look this wide world over
When I die, want you to dress me in straight-lace shoes
Box-back coat and a Stetson hat
Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So the boys'll know that I died standin' pat
The lyrics of "St. James Infirmary" tell the story of a man who goes to visit the St. James Infirmary to see his baby, who has passed away. He describes her lying on a long white table, looking sweet, cold, and fair. He then makes a request for her to be let go and blessed by God, saying that she will never find a sweet man like him. He goes on to speak about his own death, asking that he be dressed in straight-lace shoes, a box-back coat, and a Stetson hat. He wants a twenty-dollar gold piece put on his watch chain so that the boys will know that he died standing pat, which means that he died without changing his ways or backing down.
The lyrics of "St. James Infirmary" have been interpreted in various ways, but they generally suggest themes of death, loss, and loneliness. The song has a melancholic tone that is emphasized by the somber melody and Louis Armstrong's soulful voice. Some interpretations of the song suggest that the singer is mourning not only the loss of his lover but also the loss of his own youth and vitality.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the St. James Infirmary
The singer went to the hospital called St. James Infirmary.
Saw my baby there
The singer saw his girlfriend lying there.
Stretched out on a long white table
The girlfriend was on a long white table.
So sweet, so cold, so fair
The girlfriend looked pretty, pale, and beautiful.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
The singer let go of his girlfriend and wished her the best.
Wherever she may be
The singer hopes his girlfriend is happy, wherever she may be.
She can look this wide world over
The singer thinks his girlfriend won't find anyone like him anywhere.
She'll never find a sweet man like me
The singer thinks he was the best man for his girlfriend.
When I die, want you to dress me in straight-lace shoes
The singer wants to be dressed up in fancy clothes when he dies.
Box-back coat and a Stetson hat
The singer wants a special jacket and hat as part of his funeral outfit.
Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain
The singer wants a valuable item added to his watch chain as part of his funeral outfit.
So the boys'll know that I died standin' pat
The singer wants to show off his wealth even in death.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andreamedina1564
I went down to St. James Infirmary
Saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table
So cold, so sweet, so fair
Let her go, let her go!
God bless her wherever she may be
She can look this wide world over
But she'll never find a sweet man like me
(*Laughter* braggin')
When I die bury me in straight lace shoes
I want a box-back coat and a Stetson hat
(John B., that is)
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So the boys will know that I died standin' pat
@jeffersonsteelflex1391
I went down to St.James Infirmary
Saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long, white table
So cold, so sweet, so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She can look this wide world over
But she'll never find a sweet man like me
When I die bury me in shoes,
I want a Boxback coat and a Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So the boys will know that I died standin' pat
@ignaciocanepa2436
Just a cooler way of being sad
@OrangeJuiceDripping
Under rated comment
@nyontozel
Wayyyyy Cooolllerrr broda!
@lilhomiecasey9906
So real
@notjoshmerkle
Well mate if we’re gonna be sad it might as well be cool too yea?
@purpleblah2
I have depression and I'm never this cool
@jeffgoldenberg4009
One of the thrills of my life was seeing him in 1961 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ with my father, a huge fan. I was 10 and a novice on the trumpet. We went backstage and hung with him for a while; i sat on his knee as they chatted, and he led me back to the end of the room where his trumpet sat in its case. I tooted a few notes and her roared in approval, a huge smile across his face. I still have the program he signed.
@flxcreative.
incredible story
@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588
Jeff Goldenberg what a memory that is
@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588
Jeff Goldenberg what a memory that is