It went down to old Joe's barroom,
on the corner down the stairs.
Drinks were served as usual,
and the usual crowd was there.
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy,
his eyes were bloodshot red.
And he turned to face the crowd around him,
these were the very words he said.
I was down to St. James infirmary,
I saw my baby laying there
stretched out on a long white table,
so sweet, deep, so fair
Let her go, let her go, Lord bless her,
wherever she may be.
You may search this whole wide world over,
never find a sweeter man as me.
When I die please bury me
outside of Stetson hat.
Put a gold piece on my watch chain,
so the boys will know that I died standing fair
I want six gamblers to be my pallbearers,
I want a working girl to sing me a song.
I want a jazz band on my hearse wagon,
to raise hell as we roll along
Now that you've heard my story
I'll take another shot of the bouse
and if anybody should ask me,
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues
on the corner down the stairs.
Drinks were served as usual,
and the usual crowd was there.
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy,
his eyes were bloodshot red.
And he turned to face the crowd around him,
these were the very words he said.
I was down to St. James infirmary,
I saw my baby laying there
stretched out on a long white table,
so sweet, deep, so fair
Let her go, let her go, Lord bless her,
wherever she may be.
You may search this whole wide world over,
never find a sweeter man as me.
When I die please bury me
outside of Stetson hat.
Put a gold piece on my watch chain,
so the boys will know that I died standing fair
I want six gamblers to be my pallbearers,
I want a working girl to sing me a song.
I want a jazz band on my hearse wagon,
to raise hell as we roll along
Now that you've heard my story
I'll take another shot of the bouse
and if anybody should ask me,
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues
tell' em I got me those gamblin' dues