St. James Infirmary

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Biggs
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St. James Infirmary

Post by Biggs »

Hey jazz guys (bloke?): do you happen to know the chord changes to St. James Infirmary? I have one version in my head but am not 100% on it. Thanks!
eupher61
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Re: St. James Infirmary

Post by eupher61 »

dmi///|dmi///|dmi/gmi/|A7///|

dmi///|dmi/Bb/|dmi/A7/|dmi/A7/| etc etc

changes as in 4
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Todd S. Malicoate
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Re: St. James Infirmary

Post by Todd S. Malicoate »

Here's how we do it in Oklahoma, for what it's worth. Pretty basic minor blues.

(Am)It was down in (E7)Old Joe's (Am)bar-room,
on the corner (F)by the (C)square,(E7)
the (Am)usual (E7)crowd was (Am)assembled(Am/G)
and (F7)big Joe (E7)Mckenny was (Am)there.

(Am)He was standing (E7)at my (Am)shoulder,
his eyes were (F)bloodshot (C)red,(E7)
he (Am)turned to the (E7)crowd (Am)around him(Am/G)
these are the (F7)very (E7)words he (Am)said.

(Am)I went down to the (E7)St. James (Am)Infirmary
I saw my (F)baby (C)there,(E7)
she was (Am)laid out on a (E7)cold white (Am)table,(Am/G)
so (F7)cold, so (E7)white, so (Am)fair.

CHORUS:
(Am)Let her go, let her (E7)go, god (Am)bless her
wherever (F)she may (C)be,(E7)
she may (Am)search this (E7)wide world (Am)over,(Am/G)
she'll never (F7)find a sweet (E7)man like (Am)me.

(Am)When I die, (E7)bury me(Am),
in a high top (F)Stetson (C)hat,(E7)
put a (Am)twenty dollar (E7)gold piece (Am)on my watch chain,(Am/G)
so (F7)God know I (E7)died standing (Am)pat.

(Am)I want six crap (E7)shooters for pall (Am)bearers,
chorus gonna (F)sing me a (C)song,(E7)
put a (Am)jazz band (E7)on my hearse (Am)wagon,(Am/G)
raise (F7)hell, as (E7)I roll (Am)along.

CHORUS

(Am)Roll out your (E7)rubber tired (Am)carriage
roll out your (F)old time (C)hack,(E7)
(Am)twelve men (E7)going to the (Am)graveyard and,(Am/G)
(F7)eleven (E7)coming (Am)back

(Am)Now that I've (E7)told my (Am)story,
I'll take another (F)shot of (C)booze,(E7)
and if (Am)anyone should (E7)happen to (Am)ask me,(Am/G)
I (F7)got those (E7)gambler's (Am)blues.

CHORUS
Biggs
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Re: St. James Infirmary

Post by Biggs »

Excellent. Hopefully after our next gig I'll have some sound files to post.
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Todd S. Malicoate
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Re: St. James Infirmary

Post by Todd S. Malicoate »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa1pV81p1So

I'd say this is the Arlo Guthrie version, since it's him, and it's the changes I've always used. I was beginning to think I was the only one who goes to the "Major III chord" at the end of the second line. I really like the harmony that way, but to each his own.

When you mentioned Arlo Guthrie, it reminded me that the guy I played with in Tulsa always mentioned him when we played this tune, so I suppose he got his changes from Arlo as well. Sounds like they're playing it in b minor on the youtube clip...sounds like fun!

Todd S. "who won't tell you how they do it in New York City" Malicoate

psst...check out Clapton and Dr. John doing this tune on youtube as well...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJA21UmU ... re=related...they go to the magic III chord, too :D
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