St James' Hospital
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1953.241.A4
Original Tape ID
Summary
The song concerns a young man who has caught a venereal disease from a young woman; she did not tell him that she had it, so he could not try any remedies.
Item Notes
a) 3 verses. b) 2 verses. c) 2 verses. One song in three versions. Recorded at The People's Festival. Ewan MaColl begins with the English version, continues with a Texan version, and finishes with a blues version.
The first version of the song is found as early as 1784 in an Irish manuscript. It is still heard in the Southwark area of London as 'The Unfortunate Rake'. It was carried to America and in west Texas became 'The Streets of Laredo', and then in urban settings became 'St James' Infirmary'.
Recording Location
County - Midlothian
Parish - Edinburgh
Village/Place - Edinburgh
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good