When I went down to Old Joe's barroom
On the corner by the Square
The drinks we all served as usual
And the usual crowd was there

Upto the bar I saw Big Joe beginning
With these eyes bloodshoting red
Gather round and now all you seen us
I'm gonna tell you just what Big Joe said

When I went down to St.-James infirmary
Just to see my baby there
She was stretched on a long white table
So cold, so cold, so fair

Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be.
She can look this whole wide world over,
But she'll never find a new man like me.

Now, when I die I want you to bury me,
In my high top Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch-chain,
I want the boys know that I died standing pat.

And if anybody should ask you who's been singing
If anybody should wanna know who wrote this song
Just tell him Big Joe was here this morning
And he was here this morning, yeah, but now he's gone