Diamond Joe

Another cracking song from Ali George, a great driving rhythm and an attack on greed and wealth:

Diamond Joe is a cowboy song that was collected by Cisco Houston. Bob Dylan recorded it on his 1992 album GOOD AS I BEEN TO YOU, Which is where I originally heard it. There are several songs of the same name from the American folk tradition. Some of them come from the same thread as this one, and some have nothing to do with it.

The song tells the story of a greedy ranch owner who mistreats his workers, cheats and lies. The narrator (one of Diamond Joe’s unhappy workers) tells of the unfair treatment he has received from his boss over the years. In the last few lines of the song he declares with venom:

“When I’m called up yonder, and it’s my time to go,
Give my blankets to my buddies, give the fleas to Diamond Joe.”

Ali

There is a man you'll hear about
Most every place you go,
And his holdings are in Texas
And his name is Diamond Joe.

And he carries all his money
In his diamond-studded jaw.
And he never was much bothered
By the process of the law.

Well, I hired to Diamond Joe, boys,
I did offer him my hand,
And he gave me a string of horses
So old they could not stand.

Well I liked to die of hunger
'Cause he did mistreat me so,
And I never earned one dollar
In the pay of Diamond Joe.

Well his bread it was corn dodger
And his meat I could not chaw,
And he drove me near distracted
With that waggin' of his jaw.

While he tellin' of his story,
And I mean to let you know,
That there never was a rounder
That lied like Diamond Joe.

Well, I tried three times to quit him,
Boys, but he did argue so
That I still am punchin' cattle
In the pay of Diamond Joe.

And when I'm called to heaven
Last thing before I go,
Give my blankets to my buddies
And give the fleas to Diamond Joe.