Come to the door Ma, and unlock the I was just passin through, I got in the rain Theres I want, nothin that you need say let me lay down for a while and Ill be on my way
I was no more than a kid, when you put me on. the Southern With the police on my back, I all the way down to New Orleans I fought in the dockyards, and the money I made I the fight was my home, and blood was my trade
Baton Rouge, Ponchitoula, and town Well, they paid me their money Ma, and I knocked the men I did I did, well it came easily Restraint and mercy Ma always strangers to me
I fought champion Jack Thompson, in a field of mud The poured through the canvas tent,and mixed with our blood In the I slipped my tongue, over my broken jaw and I over him, I pounded his bloody body, into the floor Well the bell rang and rang, and still I on and on and on Till I felt my glove leather, slip between his and bone
the women and the money came fast and the days I lost track The red, the money green, but the numbers were black I fought for the men in silk suits, to lay down their bets I took my share Ma, ya see I, I have no regrets
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 back
So understand, in the end Ma, man plays the game If you know me one different, speak out his name Ma, if my voice now, now you recognize just open the door, and look into your dark eyes I ask of you nothin, not a kiss, not a smile, Just open the door and let me lay down for a
Now the gray rain is fallin, my fightins done So in the work fields and alleys,ya see I, I all who come If youre a better man me, then come on, and step up to the line, step right to the me your money , and speak out your crime
Now theres nothin I Ma, nothin that you need say let me lay down for a while and Ill be on my way
Tonight in a shipyard, a man draws a in the dirt I move to the center, and I take off my I him for the cuts, the scars, the pain, Man no time can I move to the left, and I strike to the face