Lou Rawls - St. James Infirmary Lyrics






I feel so blue
And i feel heart broken
What am I living for
My baby she went away... and she left me
No no no never...to come back
No no no more

I went down to St. James Infirmary
I heard my baby moan.
I felt so broken hearted.
She used to be my own.
I tried so hard to keep from crying.
My heart felt just like lead.
She was all I had to live for.
Oh, I wish it was me instead.

I went down to St James infirmary
And I saw my baby there
Stretched out on a long, long, long white table
So sweet... so cold... so fair

Let her go... let her go... God bless her
Wherever she may be
She can search this wide world over
But shell never find a sweet man like me

When I die want you to dress me in straight-leg shoes
I wanna a boxback coat and a stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So all the boys'll know that I died standing pat

St James Infirmary let my baby go, let my baby go





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Lou Rawls St. James Infirmary Comments
  1. C.... E....

    We played this album, loud, in our house while I was a child. My siblings and I knew all the words to every song. He was amazing. Saw him in concert about 3 months before he died, and it was incredible.

  2. P.... P....

    I wish Sam Cook could have lived because their continued collaboration would have been legendary...

  3. T.... .....

    In these troubled times I’m remembering way back. How could one be a racist and dig Lou Rawls?

  4. D.... ....

    Awesome!

  5. J.... C....

    que delícia ouvir o jazz do fantástico/imortal L.Rawls, valeu canal!

  6. a.... g....

    Brings a tear to your eyes

  7. H.... B....

    damn this man could wail!

  8. a.... c....

    this is music I've loved for a long time

  9. M.... E....

    This Lou at his best I was 11yr old when he did live , my dad an uncle's who play all the time when they would be doing grown folks talking, just the boys, I miss those days

  10. C.... s....

    When I was 24 years old, Jim
    Brashsers, a zookeeper at the Dallas Zoo. Came over to jam with my 
    boyfriend. I cooked dinner us then Jim pulled out his guitar and sang this
    song. Mr. Rawls had just recorded it . BUT he wasn't any better than Jim
    Brashers.

    Another good memory which just  just pop up for me.

  11. R.... I....

    This whole album is the best most outstanding jazz/blues album I have knowledge off. I never tire of it! If anyone knows where I could get some of the charts for this song and any others I would be very grateful!

  12. V.... R....

    We played this song all the time in our home as a child...
    The Great Memories with Mr. Rawls!

  13. M.... W....

    sensacional....sincronismo....voz maravilhosa

  14. M.... ....

    We had this music playing all the time. My parents have great taste in music

  15. J.... M....

    Living For Love For Love Is The Way To G0

  16. T.... A....

    Greatest rendition of this song I've ever heard.

  17. T.... .....

    On a tv appearance, you'd have marveled at his resilience and then he finally got it back. He got a standing ovation for that one.

  18. T.... .....

    No words of praise could ever be regretted for the man. We just naturally loved him, sure miss you Lou. He lost his voice on

  19. H.... M....

    I remember in the 1960's WHEN I WAS A KID AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH THIS ALBUM AND LOU RAWLS WHILE MY SISTERS HAD BIG FUN Partying off this whole album, Now my favorite song is " in the evening baby when the sun goes down

    H.... M....

    My mom played the shit outta this album "back in the day" (mid 1960's) until us kids got sick of it.  Then, we learned to like it (like we had a choice!).  Pretty soon I knew the words to every song...every musical note..every sound....every nuance.  I still do.

  20. I.... ....

    My Dad...... had this album.... bringing back the sounds....

  21. h.... ....

    Trippin on a true artist ,one of the very best ,seen this fine man can say no more than sweet. the world today will never know the meaning of class lou was that word .

  22. j.... h....

    Great artist

  23. a.... ....

    This album ,"Lou Rawls Live" , contains many outstanding performances which represent the depth of Lou's ability as a singer and his sense of musical interpretation. He was an outstanding talent that will always be an integral part of the American Songbook. I purchased this album in the late 60's and have never stopped listening to it. thank you for sharing.

  24. J.... C....

    Lou Rawls did the best version of this song ever recorded in vocals. He made you feel this song to his best yet. Just the whole Live 1966 project was on point of being the best. He left this mark on all of us in a great way of excellence's -------Dunmore Music Of Monee IL.

  25. p.... ....

    Great tune. He's so good. Great piano part too.

    p.... ....

    That piano....  Yeah, that piano.

  26. p.... ....

    It's playing fine now

  27. m.... ....

    In the end...we'll all end up at "St James Infirmary" let us hope we end standing pat.

  28. p.... ....

    Won't play on an iPad. Why?

  29. a.... ....

    This cat is as good as anyone ever could ever need to be to tell all of our story.

  30. Y.... F....

    Thanks @*****  4 the share!!! I Love it!!!

  31. L.... G....

    Aunque no es la versión original, para  mi es una excelente version

  32. V.... T....

    this is the music that i listen to as a child. didnt understand what daddy was talking about when he playded it until 40 years later

  33. d.... ....

    You are right. This is great. Lou has a suprb voice and style. But alos check out the Arlo Guthrie version, which has a lot more lyrics.

  34. h.... ....

    one of the best ...lou well done

  35. L.... A....

    In terms of singing the tune and lyrics, the Lou Rawls version St. James Infirmary is the definitive on..I think Louis Armstrong did the original 1928. I feel so blue etc is not sung. Ergo I believe Rawls sang those opening lyrics to set a dark mood. This is most soulful recording he ever did. Too bad how he got into his soft jazz, pop vein. 2nd best co singer with Sam Cooke. "Bring it on Home to me."

    L.... A....

    Lynda Appell

  36. S.... E....

    The great Earl Palmer on drums...

  37. L.... V....

    My Dad started me on my love of music. It was mostly jazz. Charlie Parker et al. He had lots of LPs. I found my own way musically, after the start my Dad gave me.
    I don't know what today's kids will be humming when they're 60. I'm glad the old stuff is still around.

  38. C.... F....

    If there was ever anyone that sounded better than Lou Rawls I haven't heard them.

  39. P.... P....

    I'm sorry, Lou made this song HIS !

    P.... P....

    Awesome instrumental arraignments especially the bass

    P.... P....

    Why are you sorry because Lou made this song his? He absolutely owned this song!

  40. T.... F....

    I have this vinyl^^ near perfect playable condition. $1.00. Ups fpr Second Hand shopping!

  41. L.... V....

    Oops! I should have said Laurie.

  42. L.... V....

    This made me pull out one of my ancient LP's. While some people do this music justice nowadays, there is nothing like the old stuff. My respects to Mr. Lawrie and others who this music well.

  43. R.... M....

    A masterful performance, great rendition of an old classic by a legend in the early days of his success. And "early days" or no, I daresay, he has never been better.

  44. B.... M....

    i remember i was so impressed with Lou that i stole my dad's 8track tape and lived in fear that he'd find i lost it

  45. B.... S....

    @yooperlooper I bought this album in 1966, 46 years and I still love every track on it. It's one of best albums of all time. The combo of jazz and blues is unsurpassed.

  46. G.... M....

    I met him, Raleigh, N. C. paid 3.00for the ticket, the Raleigh paper, article, scintillating, and he signed an autograph for my date. Cool.

  47. 1.... ....

    I've BEEN SINGING THIS SONG SINCE I WAS 5 YEARS OLD...STILL LUV IT..

  48. H.... C....

    @31street A-Track or 8-Track? OMG, I LOVE TOBACCO ROAD!

  49. y.... ....

    Lou was the first one to spark my interest in jazzy blues. I used to listen to this album over and over and over when I was a wee tot

  50. A.... B....

    This whole album changed my life. His version of "The Shadow of Your Smile" is about the sexiest thing I've ever heard. You can also hear Lou singing backup on Sam Cooke's hits. Once you listen for his voice, it's unmistakable.

  51. j.... ....

    @BustG I will accept your rightness only in that, yes, no one can do it better than the original,BUT, my boyfriend is talirussomano (the bloke that posted this song) and he's very hot (in the sexy way, not the angry way)and when he sings it, I can't imagine a better devotee (he once, within a quarter mile of the man himself, plotted to kidnap Mr. Rawls just to hear him sing) singing this song. He does it with at least the same love and passion that Mr. Rawls had. Better or not, he's best to me.

  52. B.... G....

    @judasishmael cant do it over and say its better, sorry!

  53. L.... ....

    So sweet, still. ugh

  54. j.... ....

    girls, girls, youre both pretty. "Standing pat" is not a misquote of "standing fat," but it does mean having money in your pocket according to some definitions, but, when "standpat" as one word means "Opposed or resistant to change."

  55. j.... ....

    My boyfriend does it better.

  56. t.... ....

    Hey talirussomano.....do you have Tobacco Road from the same album? I would love to have that.

  57. e.... ....

    @emmettk Oh yeah man. Street Corner Hustler remains one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES. :)

  58. e.... ....

    I listened to Lou Rawls "Live" so many times as a kid growing up in my home...I know the lyrics of the ENTIRE album from memory. I loved it then and I love it now.
    I'm 55 years old. Grew up in South Central Los Angeles near Manchester and Broadway.

  59. B.... ....

    I used to listen to this album (original vinly) throughout college, but in the summer '05 I had a "psychedelic experience" while listening to this album and let me tell you, it is an experienece I am proud of, and will never forget!

  60. 3.... ....

    @Raggamuffinlaffs I played this album just about more than any other record when I was 14. It was 1969, a very good year.

  61. v.... J....

    I have this album in storage
    inspires me

  62. d.... ....

    Excelent !

  63. F.... ....

    @31street

    You are blessed for understanding and loving this music.

  64. C.... ....

    George never made a mistake on thissort of thing and it was his generation.
    They said "Standing Patt".

  65. C.... ....

    Actually, it's "Standing Patt" which I learned long ago from my 90 year old relative.
    He used the verbage as did his peers way back when. He explained it to me in full.

  66. C.... ....

    It's "Standing Patt" by the way. A very old saying.

  67. 2.... ....

    @Cyberella1000 Actually the lyric is "Standing Fat" but your meaning is pretty much right. The thinking was that if a man was fat, he ate a lot, which meant he had money. So, the meaning is carried over by having a $20 gold piece attached to his watch chain.

  68. t.... ....

    Thanks for posting this classic. Been waiting to hear it for years. The beginning and very end are just amazing.

  69. C.... ....

    "Standing Patt" is a very old saying that means he died a winner, with money his pocket.

  70. C.... ....

    For George who taught me what "Standing Patt" means.
    God I miss you.

  71. T.... ....

    this song is forever

  72. H.... E....

    one of the best versions!!!

  73. C.... ....

    This one's for you George.
    By the way, I miss you terribly.

  74. H.... V....

    the BEST. Thanks for posting it!!!!!!

  75. m.... ....

    That's a great version.

  76. J.... S....

    Lou would have certainly sung at Obama's inauguration!

    @

  77. S.... E....

    This cat could swing with the best of 'em.

  78. r.... ....

    This was a hit back in the day and catapulted Lou to prominence. As far as I'm concerned his best work.

    aka BoomerBabe

  79. D.... J....

    This is my favorite from brother Lou. My father use to play this album when I was about 5 or 6. This is before he hooked up with Gamble and Huff.