Stranger

At the corner of Orchard and Stanton on the square
Sipping booze at the Slipper Room, everyone was there
I met a stranger there, his eyes bloodshot red
Face pale as a ghost, he spoke to me as he said

"Have you ever lost in love? Have you ever loved and lost?
You ever left a life of love in pain and paid the highest cost?
I have, I fell in love with an angel in rays
But she was terminally ill, doctors had given her days

She made a final wish that made my blood run cold
Wanted to go on her own terms, awash in love's throes
She said, 'I'd rather die by you in our passion so endless
Than in the ICU in nose tubes like a necklace'

I took her hand in mine, I took her throat in the other
I watched the dying lights behind the final smile of my lover
I dressed her, and I kissed her, fled with little delay
Before the ambulance arrived to take my baby away

Down to St. James Infirmary
And I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table
So sweet, so cold, so fair

Now what was I to do?" He asked, "Where was I to run?
Even if I got away, how could I live with what I'd done?
Even though I'd only honored her request to ease her leaving
I know there ain't a juror in the world who'd believe me

And since the thought of life without my lover was hell
I'd decided that I'd join her with a final bow as well
Heartbroken, guilt-ridden, at my rope's end
But first, I needed just to see her again

So I went down to that old hospital later that night
I snuck in and found her covered under flickering lights
A subtle smile still upon her face, her body now breathless
And my handprint still lay upon her like a necklace

I kissed her cold lips, removed a rose from my pocket
Made my way to the door before I froze and locked it
And there, down at St. James, at half past nine
I made love to my baby one last time

Down at St. James Infirmary
And I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table
So sweet, so cold, so fair"

The stranger told his tale, downed his drink, and he stood
He spoke to me a last request, his face like etched wood
He said, "When I die bury me in straight-laced shoes
A posh black suit and sing them St. James blues

And slip a twenty dollar bill inside my lapel
So I can tip the ferryman when I arrive in hell"
I never caught his name, his face I never recognized
But his exit was the last time that he was seen alive

Some said he was tragic, some said he was reckless
When they found him that night wearing his belt like a necklace
And some cried about the wicked pleasures of men
But I smiled knowing soon they'd be together again

Down at St. James Infirmary
And they saw each other there
They were stretched out on long white tables
So sweet, so cold, so fair

Let her go, let her go, god bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search the whole world over
But she'll never find a man as depraved as he