Diamond Joe (Trad)

Traditional

(Official lyrics @ www.bobdylan.com)

  Bob Dylan's Garage Studio, Malibu, CA - late july -- early august 1992  

Now there's a man you'll hear about most anywhere you go
His holdings are in Texas and his name is Diamond Joe.

He carries all his money in a diamond-studded jar
He never took much trouble with the process of the law.

I hired out to Diamond Joe, boys, did offer him my hand
He gave me a string of horses so old they could not stand.

And i nearly starved to death, boys, he did mistreat me so
I never saved a dollar in the pay of Diamond Joe.

Now his bread it was corn dodger and his meat you couldn't chaw
Nearly drove me crazy with the waggin' of his jaw.

And the tellin' of his stories, mean to let you know
That there never was a rounder that could lie like Diamond Joe.

I tried three times to quit him, but he did argue so
I'm still punchin' cattle in the pay of Diamond Joe.

And when i'm called up yonder and it's my time to go
Give my blankets to my buddies, give the fleas to Diamond Joe.