St. James Infirmary
James Ray Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

The song "St. James Infirmary" is a traditional blues song that has been covered by many musicians over the years, but perhaps the most famous version is the one recorded by James Ray in 1963. The song tells the story of someone who has just come from visiting their lover in the hospital and finding out that she has died. The singer reflects on her beauty and sweetness, and expresses his sorrow at her passing.


The lyrics are poignant and touching, but they also have a sense of dark humor and irony. The idea of being buried in a high top Stetson hat and having a jazz band play at your funeral is both somber and absurd. The line about being the sweetest man his lover will ever find is both romantic and boastful. The song captures the complex emotions of grief and loss in a way that is both honest and entertaining.


Line by Line Meaning

It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner of the square
The scene is set in front of Joe's barroom, located on the corner of the square.


They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there
Drinks were being served and the crowd was typical for the setting.


On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red
Big Joe McKennedy was standing to the left with bloodshot eyes.


And he turned his face to the people, these were the very words he said
Big Joe addressed the crowd with his statement.


I was down to St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
The artist visited St. James infirmary and saw his lover's dead body.


She was stretched out on a long white table, So sweet, cool and so fair
The woman was laid out on a table, looking peaceful and beautiful.


Let her go, let her go, God bless her Wherever she may be
The singer wishes the woman a peaceful afterlife, wherever she ends up.


She may search this whole wide world over Never find a sweeter man as me
The artist considers himself irreplaceable and the sweetest man his lover could find.


When I die please bury me in my high top Stetson hat
The artist requests to be buried in his signature Stetson hat after he dies.


Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain The gang'll know I died standing pat
The artist wants a gold piece on his watch chain so that his peers know he died with integrity.


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
The singer wants six gamblers to carry his coffin, three women to sing, and a jazz band to create a lively funeral procession.


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
The song concludes with the artist reiterating his love for the woman and his own worth.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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