A search into Google will show that there really is a St. James Infirmary, but that is not why the discussion here. St. James Infirmary is a classic song. A blues legend. It has been recorded by quite a few artists. Joe Cocker, Artie Shaw and Hot Lips Page, Cab Calloway, Bobby Blue Bland, Lou Rawls (one of my favorites), Josh White, Dukes of Dixieland, Van Morrison, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Eric Burdon and many others. Many others.
The lyrics are sometimes different. You may never find two versions exactly alike. Louis Armstrong starts his version off, I went down to St. James Infirmary, while Cab Calloway uses Folks, I'm Goin' Down to St. James Infirmary.
But, whatever version you listen to, it probably will be good. The song is just that good. So, we place St. James Infirmary as our number one selection, now.
Meanwhile, the real St. James Infirmary is in San Francisco and is a free sex health clinic.
Louis Armstrong's version is:
I went down to St. James Infirmary,
Saw my baby there,
Set down on a long white table,
So sweet, so cold, so fair.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her,
Wherever she may be,
She can look this wide world over,
She'll never find a sweet man like me.
When I die, want you to dress me in straight-leg shoes,
Box back coat and a stetson hat,
Put a 20 dollar gold piece on my watch chain,
So the boys'll know that I died standing pat.