Bob Dylan
Untitled 4 (Jack O’Diamonds Is a Hard Card t Play)
jack o’diamonds
jack o’diamonds
one-eyed knave
on the move
hits the street
sneaks, leaps
between pillars of chips
springs on them like samson
thumps thumps
strikes
is on the prowl
you’ll only lose
shouldn’t stay
jack o’diamonds
is a hard card t play

jack o’diamonds
wrecked my hand
left me here t stand
little tin men play
their drums now
upside my head
in the midst of cheers
flowers
four queens
with pawed out hearts
make believe
they’re still good
but i should drop
fold
an dean martin should apologize
t the rolling stones
ho hum
weird tablestakes
young babies horseback ride
their fathers’ necks
two dudes in hopped-up ford
for the tenth time
have rolled through town
it’s your turn baby t
cut the deck
on you’re goin under
stayed too long
chinese gong
down the way
says jack o’diamonds
(a high card)
jack o’diamonds
(but ain’t high enough)
jack o’diamonds
is a hard card t play

jack o’diamonds used t laugh at me
now wants t collect from me
used t be ashamed of me
now wants t walk long side of me
jack o’diamonds
one-armed prince
wears but a single glove
as he shoves
never loves
the moon’s too bright
as he’s fixed mirrors
round the room at night
it’s hard t think
there’s probably somethin
in my drink
should pour it out
inside the sink
would throw it in his face
but it’d do no good
give no gain
just leave a stain
jack o’diamonds
an all his crap
needs some acid
in his lap
what hour now
it feels late somehow
my hounddog bays
need more ashtrays
i can’t even remember
the early days
please don’t stay
gather your bells an go
jack o’diamonds
(can open for riches)
jack o’diamonds
(but then it switches)
a colorful picture but
beats only the ten
jack o’diamonds
is a hard card t play
jack o’diamonds stays indoors
wants me t fight his wars
jack o’diamonds is a hard card t play
never certain. in the middle
commentin’ on the songs of birds
chucklin at screamin’ mothers
jack o’diamonds drains
fish brains
raffles what’s left over
across the table
t little boy card sharks
who just sat down
t get off their feet
back luck run’s all in fun
it’s your choice. your voice
you choose
you lose
run for cover
hallaluyah
you choose t lose
take yourself
disappear
jack o’diamonds
(a king’s death)
jack o’diamonds
(at the ace’s breath)
jack o’diamonds
is a hard card t play