St. James Infirmary

This is a piece called "The St. James Infirmary"
Now I don't know exactly where it is
There is, on Route 66, in St. James, Missouri

There's a St. James Federal Hospital that I know about
Now, why they put Yankees in the South
I don't know, but it's alright, I guess
Some of the boys claim now, that St
James Infirmary itself is a hospital in Hell
Now, I don't know, never havin' been there
You ready, boys?
Alright

Was down in old Joe's barroom
Now that's on the corner, you know, by the square
The drinks were served as usual
And the usual crowd was boozin' there
Now on my left stood Big Joe McKnight
And his eyes were just a bloodshot red, drinkin' a cryin' 1
Now he turned to the crowd that was standin' 'round him there
And they claim this is what he said

I went down to the St. James Infirmary
I 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 may search this wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me
Y'all, take two

When I die, when I die please bury me
In my high top Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So the boys'll know I'm standin' pat
I want six crap shooters for pallbearers
A chorus girl to sing me a song
Put a jazz band on my hearse wagon
To give 'em a fit as we roam along

And now you've heard my story
I'll take one more shot of booze
If anyone should happen to ask you
Well, I've got these lonely gambler blues

Oh, 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
Yes, let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this wide world over
She'll never find a sweeter man as me