Diamond Joe Lyrics - Guy Clark

Now there's a man you'll hear about 

Most anywhere you go, 

And his holdings are in Texas 

And his name is Diamond Joe. 

And 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 a string of horses 

So old they could not stand. 

And I nearly starved to death, boys, 

He did mistreat me so, 

And 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 story, 

Mean to let you know 

That there never was a rounder 

That could lie like Diamond Joe. 

Now, 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.