Al Stewart - Willie the King lyrics

Old man Bodey sits on his own by the side of the bar

Drinking slowly, resting the boots that he's carried so far

Once was a gambler, 5-card poker rambler,

That the wise men knew as a slippery deal

And the kids called Willie the King

Sea behind me, fog's coming up on the river tonight,

Just reminds me of smoke curling up in the yellowy light

There's money on the table, took what I was able

And spent my nights with a riverboat queen

And she called me Willie the King

Well I don't mind saying

I've done my share of paying

I've been so broken

Sometimes it seemed that I'd never get back

Watching their faces I was turning over aces

Though they knew my name when the money was gone,

They called me Willie the King

Well I don't mind staying up all night just waiting

Choosing a moment to play that card that could never be beat

Old man Bodey, he's still growing roots by the side of the bar

Drinking slowly, resting his gaze on the cinnamon jar

He once was a gambler, five-card poker rambler,

That the wise men knew as a slippery deal

And the kids called Willie the King