Come to the door Ma, and unlock the I was just through, I got caught in the rain Theres nothing I want, that you need say Just let me lay down for a and Ill be on my way
I was no more a kid, when 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
Rouge, Ponchitoula, and Lafayette town Well, they paid me their Ma, and I knocked 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 field of mud The rain poured through the canvas tent,and mixed with our In the twelfth I slipped my tongue, my broken jaw and I stood over him, I pounded his body, right into the Well the rang and rang, and still I kept on and on and on Till I felt my glove leather, slip between his and bone
Then the women and the money fast and the days I lost track The women red, the money green, but the numbers were I fought for the men in their silk suits, to lay down bets I my good share Ma, ya see I, I have no regrets
I took the fix at the state armory, with big John McDowell oh, From high in the rafters, I watched myself As they raised his arm my twisted. and the sky it went black I stuffed my bag with their good money ma, and I looked back
So understand, in the end Ma, every man plays the If you know me one different, then speak out his Ma, if my voice now, now you recognize Then just open the door, and look into your dark I ask of you nothin, not a kiss, not a smile, Just open the and let me lay down for a while
Now the gray is fallin, my ring fightins done So in the work fields and alleys,ya see I, I all who come If youre a man than me, then come on, and step up to the line, right to the line Show me your money , and speak out your
Now nothin I want 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 draws a circle in the 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