You Don't Mess Around With Jim
Croce Jim Lyrics

Uptown got it's hustlers
There are many con artists and swindlers in the wealthy and elegant areas of the city.

The bowery got it's bums
In the district of Bowery, there are many homeless and destitute people.

42nd street got big Jim walker
The infamous Big Jim Walker is often spotted on 42nd Street.

He's a pool shootin' son of a gun
Big Jim Walker is an expert in pool, ruthless, and no one to mess with.

Yeah, he big and dumb as a man can come
Big Jim may not be the brightest, but he is physically strong and imposing.

But he stronger than a country hoss
Big Jim is incredibly strong, even more so than a horse bred in the countryside.

And when the bad folks all get together at night
Those with questionable intentions gather together and recognize Big Jim as their leader.

You know they all call big Jim boss, just because
Big Jim commands his authority and respect without question.

And they say
It is commonly known and accepted among this group of people.

You don't tug on superman's cape
Don't provoke or mess with someone who is extremely powerful and formidable like Superman.

You don't spit into the wind
Avoid doing anything foolish or dangerous that could end up hurting yourself.

You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
Don't try to uncover the true identity of the Lone Ranger or expose his secrets.

And you don't mess around with Jim
Avoid provoking or crossing Big Jim Walker, as the consequences could be dire.

Well outta south Alabama came a country boy
A young man from a rural area in Alabama arrived in the city.

He say I'm lookin' for a man named Jim
The boy is searching for a man called Jim.

I am a pool shootin' boy
The boy is skilled in playing pool.

My name Willie McCoy
The boy's name is Willie McCoy.

But down home they call me slim
Willie McCoy goes by the nickname Slim in his hometown.

Yeah I'm lookin' for the king of 42nd street
Slim is looking for the infamous Big Jim Walker who rules over 42nd Street.

He drivin' a drop top cadillac
Big Jim drives a convertible Cadillac.

Last week he took all my money
Big Jim conned Slim out of all his money the previous week.

And it may sound funny
Although it may seem amusing, Slim is seeking revenge for what Big Jim did to him.

But I come to get my money back
Slim wants to take back what Big Jim stole from him.

And everybody say Jack don't you know
Everyone cautions Slim to be careful and not mess with Big Jim.

Well a hush fell over the pool room
The pool room became silent as Big Jim arrived.

Jimmy come boppin' in off the street
Big Jim entered the pool room with confident swagger.

And when the cuttin' were done
After the fight was over.

The only part that wasn't bloody
The only part of Big Jim that was not covered in blood.

Was the soles of the big man's feet
Were the bottom of his shoes.

Yeah he were cut in in bout a hundred places
Big Jim sustained numerous cuts and injuries.

And he were shot in a couple more
Big Jim was also shot a few times.

And you better believe
It is true and verifiable that.

They sung a different kind of story
People started talking about Big Jim in a different light.

When big Jim hit the floor now they say
After Big Jim was defeated, people spoke differently about him.

Yeah, big Jim got his hat
Big Jim was so beaten up that he lost his hat in the fight.

Find out where it's at
People wonder where Big Jim's hat went.

And it's not hustlin' people strange to you
Big Jim's reputation as a swindler is a well-known fact.

Even if you do got a two piece custom made pool cue
Even if you are a skilled pool player, it is still not wise to mess with Big Jim.