"Diamond Joe" lyrics - RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT
"Diamond Joe"
(Traditional)

There is a man you'll hear about
Most every place you go.
His holdings are in Texas,
And his name is Diamond Joe.
And he carries all his money
In a diamond-studded jaw.
And he never was much bothered
By the process of the law.

I hired out to Diamond Joe, boys,
I did offer him my hand.
And he give me a string of horses
So old they could not stand.
I like to starve to death, boys,
He did mistreat me so.
Never saved a dollar
In the pay of Diamond Joe.

Well, his bread it was corn dodger,
His meat I couldn't chaw.
And he drove me near distracted
With the waggin' of his jaw.
Oh, the tellin' of his stories,
I aim to let you know,
There never was a rounder
That lied like Diamond Joe.

Well, I tried three times to quit him, boys,
But he did argue so,
That I'm still punchin' cattle
In the pay of Diamond Joe.
And when I'm called up yonder,
And it comes my time to go,
Give my blankets to my buddies,
And give the fleas to Diamond Joe.