Come to the door Ma, and unlock the I was just passin through, I got caught in the nothing I want, nothin that you need say Just let me lay down for a and Ill be on my way
I was no than a kid, when you put me on. the Southern Queen With the police on my back, I fled all the way to New Orleans I fought in the dockyards, and with the I made I knew the fight was my home, and was my trade
Baton Rouge, Ponchitoula, and Lafayette Well, they paid me their money Ma, and I the men down I did what I did, it came easily and mercy Ma were always strangers to me
I fought champion Jack Thompson, in a full of mud The poured through the canvas tent,and mixed with our blood In the twelfth I slipped my tongue, my broken jaw and I stood over him, I his bloody body, into the floor Well the bell rang and rang, and still I on and on and on I felt my glove leather, slip between his skin and bone
Then the women and the money came fast and the I lost track The women red, the green, but the numbers were black I fought for the men in their suits, to lay down their bets I took my good share Ma, ya see I, I have no
Then I took the fix at the state armory, with big McDowell oh, From high in the rafters, I myself fall As raised his arm my stomach twisted. and the sky it went black I stuffed my bag with their good money ma, and I never looked
So understand, in the end Ma, man plays the game If you know me one different, then out his name Ma, if my voice now, now you dont Then just open the door, and look into your eyes I ask of you nothin, not a kiss, not a smile, open the door and let me lay down for a while
Now the rain is fallin, my ring fightins done So in the fields and alleys,ya see I, I take all who come If youre a better man than me, then on, and step up to the line, right to the line Show me your , and speak out your crime
Now theres nothin I Ma, nothin that you need say Just let me lay for a while and Ill be on my way
Tonight in a shipyard, a man a circle in the dirt I move to the center, and I off my shirt I him for the cuts, the scars, the pain, Man no can erase I hard to the left, and I strike to the face