St. James Infirmary

(album: Remembering Merle - 1992)

I went down to that St. James Infirmary
Heard my baby groan
Nobody there could cheer me
'Cause I know that she'd soon be gone

And as I stood there a-breathing
My heart felt just like lead
But knowing that she'd soon be leaving
And wishing it was me instead

Then I went out to Old Joe's Barroom
All the boys were there
Nobody understood my trouble
'Cause nobody seemed to care

Then I went back to the St. James Infirmary
All was still as night
That was my baby on a long, white table
She was pale and cold and white

I put my hand on her pretty face
Felt cold like marble stone
And I know that no woman could ever take her place
Lord, and it made me feel so alone

Well, yes, she's gone, she's gone, God bless her
Wherever she might be
If she looked this wide world over
She'd a-never found a friend like me

Give me my box back, cold, and my button shoes
When you lay me down to sleep
Put a pan hander cards up in my hotel
Set my old guitar right down by my feet

I went down to that St. James Infirmary
Heard my baby groan
Nobody there could cheer me
While I knew that she'd soon be gone