"St. James Infirmary" lyrics

You know, I used to hear one of the big band leaders
Do this old song, St. James Infirmary
He had a right nice introduction on it, I thought
Uh, I'll show you how he started his version, and then
Richard and I'll tell you how we start ours

When will I ever be happy?
When will I ever smile?
My baby went and left me
And she'll be gone a long, long while

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

And as I was standin' there a-greavin'
My heart feeling just like lead
I knowed that she'd soon be leavin'
I's a-wishin' that it was me instead

Then I went out to Old Joe's Barroom
Most of my friends were there
But nobody understood my trouble
I tell you, nobody seemed to care

When I got back to that St. James Infirmary
All was still as night
Sweet baby on a long, white table
She was pale and so cold and white

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

She's gone, she's gone, God bless her
Wherever she might be
If she'd searched this old world over
She wouldn't-a found a friend like me

Give me my box-back coat and my button shoes
When you've laid me down to sleep
Put these old guitar picks right up in my lapel
And fellas, set this old guitar right down by my feet

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