Wild Bill Jones

As I went out for to take a little walk
And I walked upon that Wild Bill Jones,
He was walking and a-talking by my true lover's side,
I forbid him to leave her alone.

He said, my age is just twenty-one,
Too old for to be controlled,
I drew my revolver from my side,
I destroyed that poor boy's soul.

Well, he kicked and he scrambled and he fell to the ground
And he gave one dying groan,
I threw my arms around my true lover's neck,
Said, darling, you'll be left alone.

I've got one dollar in my pocketbook
And a quarter in my hand,
Well, it's come on, boys, and let's take a drink,
While I have this money for to spend.

Well, it's pass around your long-neck bottle
And we'll all get on a spree,
For today was the last of that Wild Bill Jones
And tomorrow'll be the last of me.

My honey, she wrote me a letter,
Said,"Darling, what might your bail be?"
My woman she sent me a ten -dollar bill,
Said, darling, come home to me.

I was on that old train when she blowed for midnight,
I was on her when she whistled for day,
She went around the curve and she strained every nerve,
This old engine's going to carry me away.

They sent me to prison for twenty long years,
This poor boy longs to be free,
But Wild Bill Jones and that long-neck bottle
Have been the ruin of me.

Note: A composite version, assembled by the New Lost City
Ramblers.
DT #622
Laws E10
RG