Well,
Am E Am F E E7
I went down to St. James' Infirmary and I saw my baby there,
Am E Am F E Am
She was laid out on that long white table, so sweet, so cold, so fair.
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Well, I went up to see the doctor, "She's feeling very low" he said,
Am E Am F E Am
Well, I went back to see my baby, and good god, she was lying there dead.
[Chorus]
Am E Am
So let her go, let her go, God bless her soul.
F E E7
Wherever she may be.
Am E Am
She may search this whole wide world over,
F E Am E Am
And never find a motherfucker like me.
[Instrumental]
Am E Am
Well, I went down to Old Joe's Ballroom,
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On the corner down by the square.
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They were serving drinks as usual,
F E Am
And all the usual folks were there.
Am E Am
Well, to my left stood Old Joe McKennedy,
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His eyes were bloodshot red.
Am E Am
And he turned to the crowd in front of him,
F E Am
And these were the very words that he said.
[Chorus]
Am E Am
He said, "Let her go, let her go, God bless her soul
F E E7
Wherever she may be.
Am E Am
She may search this whole wide world over,
F E Am E Am
And never find a motherfucker like me."
[Instrumental]
Am E Am
So when I die won't you bury me,
F E E7
In my high-top Stetson hat.
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Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain,
F E Am
So the devil knows I died standing pat.
Am E Am
Six gamblers to carry my coffin,
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With chorus girls to sing me a song.
Am E Am
Put a jazz band on the horse wagon,
F E Am E Am
To raise Hell as we roll along.
[Instrumental]
Am E Am
So bring out the rubber tied carridge,
F E E7
Go ahead and bring out the pony and drive.
Am E Am
Twelve men going down to that graveyard,
F E Am
Only eleven of them ever coming back.
[Chorus]
Am E Am
So let her go, let her go, God bless her soul,
F E E7
Wherever she may be.
Am E Am
She may search this whole wide world over,
F E Am E Am
And never find a motherfucker like me.
[Instrumental]
Am E Am
So now, they've heard my story,
F E E7
Well, let's buy another round of booze.
Am E Am
And if anyone ever should ask you,
F E Am E Am
I got the St. James' Infirmary blues.