St. James Infirmary
The Ten Black Berries, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, The Harlem Hot Chocolates, Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
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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
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Written by: Irving Mills
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
History & Origin"St. James Infirmary" is an American folk song of anonymous origin. But, it is derived from an 18th-century English folk song called "The Unfortunate Rake".
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Irving MillsIrving Mills, an American music publisher and musician, is often credited with co-writing "St. James Infirmary" even though it was a traditional folk song. He also used the pseudonym Joe Primrose.
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Louis Armstrong's VersionLouis Armstrong made this song famous in 1928 with his blues rendition. His version is one of the most successful and has since become a jazz standard.
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GenreLouis Armstrong's version of "St. James Infirmary" is a blend of Jazz and Blues. The song's melancholic tone and Armstrong's poignant trumpet playing are both hallmarks of these genres.
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VariationsThe song has been covered and performed by numerous artists in a variety of styles. Each version often tells a different tale but the central theme of loss remains consistent.
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Notable CoversAside from Louis Armstrong's version, other notable covers include those by Cab Calloway in the 1933 cartoon "Snow-White", by Bobby Bland in 1959 that became an R&B hit, and by The White Stripes, who included a version on their 2002 album, "Elephant".
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Intriguing LyricsThe lyrics of "St. James Infirmary" are dark and reflect the narrative of a man contemplating mortality and loss. They tell the story of a man visiting the body of his dead lover in the infirmary and imagining his own funeral.
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Cultural InfluenceGiven its longstanding presence and evolution in the music industry, "St. James Infirmary" has become a symbol of artistic interpretation, adaptation and has influenced countless musicians.
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Tonal QualityArmstrong's version of the song is renowned for his gravelly voice, which creates an engaging texture, and for his impressive trumpet solos.
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In Popular MediaThe song has appeared in various mediums other than music, including TV shows and films. It's been used in "The Muppet Show", "Betty Boop" cartoon shorts and in the opening credits of Tony Gatlif's film "Latcho Drom".
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Citation
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"St. James Infirmary Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2120724/Irving+Mills/St.+James+Infirmary>.
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