Come to the Ma, and unlock the chain I was just through, I got caught in the rain Theres I want, nothin that you need say Just let me lay down for a and Ill be on my way
I was no more than a kid, you put me on. the Southern Queen With the on my back, I fled 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 Lafayette Well, they paid me their Ma, and I knocked the men down I did what I did, it came easily Restraint and mercy Ma always strangers to me
I fought champion Jack Thompson, in a field of mud The rain poured through the canvas tent,and with our blood In the I slipped my tongue, over my broken jaw and I over him, I pounded his bloody body, right the floor Well the bell rang and rang, and I kept on and on and on Till I felt my leather, slip between his skin and bone
the women and the money came fast and the days I lost track The women red, the money green, but the were black I fought for the men in their silk suits, to lay their bets I my good share Ma, ya see I, I have no regrets
Then I took the fix at the state armory, big John McDowell oh, From high in the rafters, I myself fall As they raised his arm my stomach twisted. and the sky it went I stuffed my bag with their money ma, and I never looked back
So understand, in the end Ma, every man 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 into your dark 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 gray 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, come on, and step up to the line, step right to the Show me your , and speak out your crime
Now theres nothin I want Ma, nothin that you say Just let me lay down for a and Ill be on my way
in a shipyard, a man draws a circle 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 hard to the left, and I strike to the face