Ballad of Spider John

Spider John is my name, friends
I'm in between freights, and I sure would be obliged
If I could share your company
I'm on my way to nowhere
I been runnin' from my past
Running from the things I used to be

Now, I know my words sound strange to you
But if you wait 'til my song is sung and the story's told
Might come to understand
Why I'm old and bent and devil-spent
And runnin' out of time
When not long ago, I held a royal flush in my hand

Oh, I was a super market fool
I was a roll-the-bank, stool pigeon
Robbin' my hometown
I thought I'd lost my blues
Yes, I thought I'd paid my dues
An' I thought I'd found a life to suit my style

And ol' Spider John, the robber man
Long, tall and handsome
Yes, I was ol' Spider John with a loaded hand
Takin' ransom

Then one day, I met Diamond Lil
She was a sweeter thing, I declare
As a summer wind that ever blown my way
Lil, she had no idea
My illustrious occupation
She thought I was a saint, not a sinner gone astray

Spider, he loved his lady so much
Could not confess his sins, for he knew if he did
Lady would surely take her leave
But you know that the word got around and Lily left town
And he never saw her again
Tossin' and turnin', causin' his heart to grieve

Oh, I was a super market fool
I was a roll-the-bank, stool pigeon
Robbin' my hometown
I thought I'd lost my blues
Yes, I thought I'd paid my dues
An' I thought I'd found a life to suit my style

And ol' Spider John, the robber man
Long, tall and handsome
Yes, ol' Spider John with a loaded hand
Takin' ransom

That is all my story
It's been 'least thirty years since I took to the road
Find my precious jewel one
If you see my Lily, won't you give her my regards
Tell her ol' Spider got tangled in the black web that he spun
You can tell her that Spider got tangled in the black web that he spun