Today’s post was written by Paul.
Here’s a super sad one to kick off the 2023 Story Song Series. There are a lot of different versions of this song, including some old big band versions. Believe it or not, there are some lyrics that seem even darker than the words I sang! I left out a couple of really good verses that I wish I had included. I included them with the typed lyrics below.
I’ve never looked up “box back coat,” but I’m assuming it was a way to save material (and therefore save money) by burying someone in a “coat” that only had a front. The back wouldn’t matter, since no one would ever see it in your coffin. Yikes! Sorry for the morbidity, but this is a beautiful song nonetheless (albeit hauntingly so).
The Nashville Bluegrass Band sang a cool verse about “sixteen coal black horses, all hitched up in a line” I wish I had included it too. Finally, I wish I had turned off my heat before shooting the video! That’s what’s making all the room noise.
Lyrics:
I went down to that St. James infirmary, I heard sweet baby groan. Nobody down there could cheer me ‘Cause I know that she’d soon be gone.
As I was standing there a grievin’, My heart feeling just like lead, I knew she’d soon be leavin’; I was wishing that it was me instead.
I went out to Old Joe’s Barroom. Most of my friends were there, But nobody seemed to understand my trouble. I tell you, nobody seemed to care.
And when I got back to that St. James infirmary, All was still as night; Sweet baby laid on that long, low table… She was pale, so cold and white.
And when I put my hand on her pretty face It was 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, yes she’s gone God bless her Wherever she might be. If she’d searched this whole world over, She wouldn’t have found a friend like me.
Give me my box back coat and my button shoes When you lay me down to sleep. Put these guitar picks in my pocket. Set this guitar down by my feet.
I went down to that St. James infirmary, Heard my sweet baby groan. Nobody down there could cheer me ‘Cause I knew that she’d soon be gone.
Either before this series concludes or in a future series, I may include a different version of this same song. Thanks for watching our series! 🙂
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
Paul
An awesome rendition, Paul! This song really showcases your excellent guitar skills and your plaintive voice.
Enjoyed hearing you sing this
and reading the lyrics. Joe Cocker had a version out when I was a teenager in the 70s. Always enjoy your post Paul.
This is one of my favorite songs. I have heard so many good performances . I love your version!
If you get a chance look up Hugh Laurie singing it in New Orleans. It is fantastic.
A true soulful blues song, they are always sad and usually about death. Paul, you sang it soulful, just like it’s suppose to be. Paul you are so talented and I so enjoy hearing you sing. I like more cheerful songs, but you sang this one very well.
Paul, my dear sir. STOP. Stop with the self-deprecating talk. Your work is wonderful – emphasis on WONderful. Truly. Most folks don’t know to think about noise from the heater or verses left out. And this song in particular is so doggone haunting and gets-in-my-bones beautiful, there’s nothing but a ‘Wow’ from us when you finish it. Same thing with your other recordings and videos. BELIEVE IT. This unsolicited advice (!) is from me, a voice/theater teacher of many decades. If YOU are sincere and are having a good time, then WE ‘feel’ that and WE have a good time too. Thanks for listening, kid. PROUD OF YOU.
Got a little bit of the blues going on there, ain’t you? I can’t hear the heater. Maybe mine is louder that yours.
Paul you played the old classic superbly and your singing was without equal. Great job!
I had but a moment’s smile when listening when the image of you going to Joe’s Bar Room popped into my head on hearing the line. I just couldn’t imagine you going into a barroom ever for a song!
Thanks for sharing that with us.
Another rendition: https://www.youtube.com › watch?v=rhVT0fx3rFs
Tom Jones & Rhiannon Giddens – St. James Infirmary Blues [HD] Jools …
Mix – Tom Jones & Rhiannon Giddens – St. James Infirmary Blues [HD] Jools’ Annual Hootenanny 2015/16 Rhiannon Giddens, Tom Jones, Jools Holland, and more St. James Infirmary…
That is a good one! Check out Hugh Laurie’s version for a bit of New Oleans jazz.
That was absolutely super!
Great job on a great old song…!!
Super sad for sure but Paul, you did a wonderful job.
FYI: ALL folks prepared for their journey into the hereafter are actually wearing clothes cut and formed around them, not placed over them as we living folks would dress. I could tell you much more, but I will spare you the details. In death, it’s all about appearances. Paul, I could listen to picking and singing all day long! You’re an excellent musician and Nashville lost out when you didn’t go there! What passes for talent now makes me shake my head in utter disgust and wonder in a bad way… I’m thankful to have the opportunity to listen to you and my I say it’s always a great pleasure! You have a beautiful voice when you sing! Never has a sad song sounded better! I greatly enjoyed St. James Infirmary. You smoked it bro!!!
Paul, as always, EXCELLENT!
Donna. : )
I have a funny story about ‘box back shirts’ to lighten this a bit. My father-in-law never shopped for clothes, nor even went shopping. He would drive MIL to town and sit in a bench outside where he could ‘breathe’ better. So when he came home from work one day with a load of white boxes and told my MIL he had found a great deal at a garage sale while making a delivery. He was so proud of himself. He couldn’t wait to show he and couldn’t get the smile off his face. He showed her that each box had a new white shirt inside and they were only 50 cents each. But when she pulled one out, it was only a front with no back. Evidently he had not looked close enough. In his embarrassment, he shoved them all in the garbage can. All she did was smile and she couldn’t get that off her face. Until I read your story, I didn’t realize what they actually were. I just thought they were manufacturing problems but now I can’t get the smile off my face from this funny old memory.
Great song! I found something on the coast – https://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/mystery-solved/
Seems to be the cut of the back.
Wow. I think you’re right. In that particular verse if St. James Infirmary, it also mentions button shoes. I guess the two always ent together. 🙂
Good one. With his head tilted a little back, I can really see the resemblance to you and Katie. God Bless and thanks for Friday’s reading.
Yep, super sad best describes it.
Frankly, I can not listen to Paul today. Just reading the lyrics reminds me of the time at the hospital and the passing of my wife. I want Paul and Tipper to know and understand I am not upset with them. It just hits too close to home for me. I did read the older blog about Pap’s Advice of Being Your own Self and I agree with what he said. I was also a fan of Merle Haggard.
Great song. For some reason, I really like the version by the White Stripes.