Discover the story of the song > St James’ Infirmary – Cab Calloway

The protagonist is going to a hospital called St. James Infirmary to see his partner who has passed away. He describes her as sweet, cold, and fair. He requests to be buried in specific clothes and with a gold piece on his watch chain. He also asks for specific things at his funeral like crap shooting pall bearers and a jazz band. At the end, he asks for another drink and tells anyone who asks that he has the St. James Infirmary blues.