Diamond Joe
Diamond Joe's Wicked Trail: A Tale of Betrayal and Broken Trust
Lyrics
There is a man you'll hear about
Introducing a notable man, Diamond Joe, widely known.
Most everywhere you go,
His reputation is widespread.
And his holdings are in Texas
He possesses significant holdings in Texas.
And his name is Diamond Joe.
The man being referred to is named Diamond Joe.
And he carries all his money
Diamond Joe carries his money in a jar adorned with diamonds.
In a diamond-studded jar.
His wealth is displayed in a luxurious manner.
He never was much bothered
Diamond Joe is not bothered much by legal processes.
By the process of the law.
He seems unaffected by legal matters.
I hired out to Diamond Joe, boys,
The narrator worked for Diamond Joe and offered a handshake.
I did offer him my hand.
Diamond Joe gave the narrator a string of very old horses.
He gave me a string of horses
The horses given were in poor condition, unable to stand.
So old they could not stand.
The narrator faced mistreatment and hardship under Diamond Joe.
And I like to starve to death, boys,
The mistreatment led the narrator to the brink of starvation.
He did mistreat me so.
Despite the mistreatment, the narrator stayed in Diamond Joe's employ.
And I never saved a dollar
No savings were accumulated while working for Diamond Joe.
In the pay of Diamond Joe.
The narrator received no financial benefits from working for Diamond Joe.
His bread it was corn dodger
The food provided by Diamond Joe was of low quality.
And his meat I could not chew.
The meat was tough and difficult to chew.
And he drove me near distracted
Diamond Joe's constant talking and storytelling was irritating.
With the waggin' of his jaw.
His incessant jawing drove the narrator to distraction.
And the tellin' of his story,
The narrator emphasizes Diamond Joe's storytelling.
I Mean to let you know
The narrator asserts that Diamond Joe is an exceptional liar.
That there never was a rounder
There has never been a more skilled deceiver than Diamond Joe.
That could lie like Diamond Joe.
Diamond Joe's ability to lie is highlighted.
Now, I tried three times to quit him boys
The narrator attempted to quit three times but was persuaded otherwise.
But he did argue so.
Diamond Joe argued convincingly to retain the narrator's services.
I'm still punchin' cattle
The narrator is still working as a cattle puncher for Diamond Joe.
In the pay of Diamond Joe.
The narrator remains employed despite attempts to leave.
And when I'm called up yonder
Looking forward to the afterlife, the narrator mentions continuing service.
And it comes my time to go,
When the narrator's time comes, he asks for specific arrangements.
Give my blankets to my buddies
In the event of death, the narrator wants to pass on blankets to friends.
Give the fleas to Diamond Joe.
Symbolically, the narrator wishes to burden Diamond Joe with troubles.
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