Winos were his friends and when he talked to them
Was planning his escape
He said, "I must admit the winos were right"
He was a crazy little child, New Orleans Alley playground
And they left poor Jackson inside
"Yeah, I've got something here in mind
They said, "Jackson, boy, they'll get you by and by", that's right
His last words were
We buried him today, nothing we could say
Of that long green when you crack that safe tonight"
All the pretty things in life
Questions there were few, in fact there were none
Little candy stores, just pickin' locks and doors
Well, I'm the slickest cat around
So Jackson went to Ritz and everyone was hip
If you need another boy, a trigger or a blade
Well, I'll wait for you outside and I'll be your ears and your eyes
Winos were his friends and when he talked to them
If you meet me here at two, I think you'll like the view
When those Sheriff's bullet start to fly
Had him put away, nothing they could say
Grimy faced, he watched the hookers cry
Ritz gave him the eye, once over then he smiled
And grimy faced, he watched the hookers cry, whoo
Crazy little child, never got to see
Depression settin' in, desperate, cool and quick
Could ever make the pieces fit
And boy, you just slip in there and bring out all that loot
Ritz ran all the rackets there in town
Yeah, I must admit the winos were right
He was a crazy little child, New Orleans Alley playground
Living wasn't easy in between
Jackson learned the ropes out on the street
Behind his silent scream, Jackson in his teens
Could ever make the pieces fit
Lay dying on the floor with a smokin' forty-four
But Ritz was taken by surprise, couple of unsuspectin' guys
Was practice for a two bit petty thief
They said, "Jackson, boy, they'll get you by and by"
Oh, I must admit the winos were right
Aw well, Daddy-o was rich, mama was a bitch
