St. James Infirmary Blues

by Secret Bandwagon

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This song is a traditional American blues, probably derived from an Irish or English folk song (although its history is notoriously hazy). It became a jazz-blues standard during the 1920s-1930s, and is still commonly performed to this day.

This arrangement is original to the Secret Bandwagon, and is intended to serve as a sample of our performance style for booking purposes. Further information or questions, please email: secretbandwagon@gmail.com

lyrics

I went down to St. James Infirmary
My baby, there she lay
Stretched out on a long wooden table
I turned, and I looked away

I went up to see the doctor
"She's there alone," he says
I went back to see my baby
Good God, she's lying there dead.

I went out to old Joe's barroom
Down on the corner of the square
They were serving drinks, as usual
And the usual crowd was there

To my left stood old Joe McKennedy
His eyes are bloodshot red
He turns to the crowd around him
And these are the words he says

"Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Where ever she may be
She can wander this whole wide world
Oh baby, she won't ever find another man like me."

When I die, please Lord, bury me
In my ten dollar Stetson hat
Stick a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So my friends will know I died standing pat

Get six gamblers to carry my coffin
And six choir girls to sing me a song
Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon
To raise Hell as I go along

Now that's the end of my story
Let's have another round of booze
And if anybody should ask you
Just tell 'em I got
The St. James Infirmary Blues.

credits

released October 8, 2018
Sjrsten: Vocals, Violin
Mo: Cello
Jackson: Drums
Jeff: Steel-string Guitar
Jim: Nylon-string Guitar

Recorded live and mixed by Justin at the Shed.

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about

Secret Bandwagon New Orleans, Louisiana

An inspired music collective that brings you an eclectic blend of genres featuring Roots-y Americana vibes with a smattering of European flashiness; held together by soulful finger style guitar, haunting violin melodies and heart-wrenchingly bluesy vocals. ... more