i am a lonesome hobo

i am a lonesome hobo

without family or friends

where another man's life might begin

that's exactly where mine ends

i have tried my hand at bribery

blackmail and deceit

and i've served time for ev'rything

'cept begging on the street. well

once i was rather prosperous

there was nothing i did lack

i had fourteen-karat gold in my mouth

and silk upon my back

but i did not trust my brother

i carried him to blame

which led me to my fatal doom

to wander off in shame. kind ladies and kind gentlemen

soon i will be gone

but let me just warn you all

before i do pass on: stay free from petty jealousies

live by no man's code

and hold your judgement for yourself

lest you wind up on his road.