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 police on my back, I fled all the way to New Orleans I in the dockyards, and with the money I made I knew the fight was my home, and blood was my
Baton Rouge, Ponchitoula, and Lafayette Well, they me their money Ma, and I knocked the men down I did I did, well it came easily and mercy Ma were always strangers to me
I fought Jack Thompson, in a field full of mud The rain poured through the canvas tent,and mixed our blood In the twelfth I slipped my tongue, my broken jaw and I stood over him, I his bloody body, right into the Well the bell rang and rang, and I kept on and on and on Till I felt my glove leather, slip his skin and bone
Then the women and the came fast and the days I lost track The women red, the money green, but the numbers were I for the men in their silk suits, to lay down their bets I my good share Ma, ya see I, I have no regrets
Then I took the fix at the state armory, with big McDowell oh, From in the rafters, I watched myself fall As they raised his arm my twisted. and the sky it went black 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, Just open the door and let me lay for a while
Now the rain is fallin, my ring fightins done So in the work and alleys,ya see I, I take 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 want Ma, that you need say Just let me lay 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 off my shirt I him for the cuts, the scars, the pain, Man no time can I hard to the left, and I strike to the face