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 called 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 called Willie the King