Diamond Joe

(album: Field Recordings, Vol. 1 - 2020)

There is a man you'll hear about
Most any place you go
And his holdings are in Texas
And his name is Diamond Joe

He carries all his money
In a diamond-studded jar
An' he never was much bothered
By the process of the law

I hired out to Diamond Joe, boys
I did offer him my hand
And he gave a string of horses
So old they couldn't stand

I like to starve 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 I couldn't chaw
And he kept me well distracted
With the wagging of his jaw

And the telling of his story
I aim to let you know
There never was a rounder
Who lied like Diamond Joe

Now, I tried three times to quit him, boys
But he did argue so
And I'm still punching cattle
In the pay of Diamond Joe

But when I'm called up a'yonder
And come my time to go
Give my blankets to my buddies
Give the fleas to Diamond Joe