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 call him 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 him Willie the King