Diamond Joe
Sam Bush Lyrics
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And he carries all his moneyIn a diamond-studded jarHe never took much troubleWith the process of the law
I hired out to Diamond Joe, boysDid offer him my handHe gave a string of horsesSo old they could not stand
And I nearly starved to death, boysHe did mistreat me soAnd I never saved a dollarIn the pay of Diamond Joe
Now his bread it was corn dodgerAnd his meat you couldn't chawNearly drove me crazyWith the waggin'of his jaw
And the tellin' of his storyMean to let you knowThat there never was a rounderThat could lie like Diamond Joe
Now, I tried three times to quit himBut he did argue soI'm still punchin' cattleIn the pay of Diamond Joe
And when I'm called up yonderAnd it's my time to goGive my blankets to my buddiesGive the fleas to Diamond Joe
Read more: BOB DYLAN - DIAMOND JOE LYRICS
The song "Diamond Joe" by Sam Bush is about a man named Diamond Joe who owns a lot of land in Texas and carries his money in a diamond-studded jar. Despite his wealth, he is known for not abiding by the law. The singer of the song worked for Diamond Joe and was given a string of old horses that could barely stand. He was mistreated and nearly starved to death while working for Diamond Joe, and was never able to save any money.
The singer describes how Diamond Joe's food was terrible and his stories were boring, but he was a talented liar. Despite trying to quit three times, the singer is still working for Diamond Joe and knows he will be until he dies. The song ends with the singer asking his friends to give his blankets to their buddies and to give the fleas to Diamond Joe after he passes away.
The lyrics of "Diamond Joe" paint a picture of a wealthy but dishonest man, and how he mistreats those who work for him. The song also highlights the difficulties of working in the cattle industry during this time period.
Line by Line Meaning
Now there's a man you'll hear about
Introducing the subject of the song, a notorious man named Diamond Joe who is infamous no matter where you go.
Most anywhere you go
Emphasizing that Diamond Joe's notoriety is widespread and universal.
And his holdings are in Texas
Providing some geographical context by specifying that Diamond Joe's property is located in the state of Texas.
And his name is Diamond Joe
Reiterating the subject's name for emphasis.
And he carries all his money
Describing an interesting characteristic of Diamond Joe, who carries all his wealth around with him at all times.
In a diamond-studded jar
Detailing the vessel that Diamond Joe keeps his money in, which is adorned with precious jewels.
He never took much trouble
Commenting on Diamond Joe's lack of concern for following the law or ethical business practices.
With the process of the law
Elaborating on the previous point by specifying the area of legal affairs that Diamond Joe does not prioritize.
I hired out to Diamond Joe, boys
Introducing a personal anecdote about the artist's experience working for Diamond Joe.
Did offer him my hand
Explaining that the artist was seeking employment and offered to work for Diamond Joe.
He gave a string of horses
Describing what the singer received in exchange for his offer of employment - a group of horses.
So old they could not stand
Humorously emphasizing the poor state of the horses that the artist was given by Diamond Joe.
And I nearly starved to death, boys
Highlighting the difficult and unfair conditions that the singer had to endure while working for Diamond Joe.
He did mistreat me so
Further elaborating on Diamond Joe's cruelty and inhumane treatment of his employees.
And I never saved a dollar
Explaining that the singer could not accumulate any savings while working for Diamond Joe due to his poor compensation and difficult working conditions.
In the pay of Diamond Joe
Summing up the fact that the artist was employed by Diamond Joe but received little in return for his hard work.
Now his bread it was corn dodger
Describing another poor aspect of the artist's experience working for Diamond Joe - the unappetizing and unsatisfying food.
And his meat you couldn't chaw
Elaborating on the previous point by specifying that even the meat served by Diamond Joe's household was inedible.
Nearly drove me crazy
Conveying the degree of the singer's annoyance and frustration caused by this poor quality of food.
With the waggin'of his jaw
Blaming Diamond Joe for causing this frustration by endlessly talking.
And the tellin' of his story
Continuing to criticize Diamond Joe for his untrustworthy and unethical behavior.
Mean to let you know
Asserting the artist's belief that telling Diamond Joe's story is important and informative.
That there never was a rounder
Using a colloquialism to state that Diamond Joe was a dishonest and dishonorable person.
That could lie like Diamond Joe
Further emphasizing Diamond Joe's deceitfulness, noting that it was a defining characteristic of him as a person.
Now, I tried three times to quit him
Detailing the singer's attempts to leave Diamond Joe's employ, highlighting the difficult nature of the relationship.
But he did argue so
Explaining that Diamond Joe was able to convince the singer to stay multiple times, demonstrating his manipulative nature.
I'm still punchin' cattle
Stating that the singer is still working as a ranch hand, specifically on a cattle ranch.
In the pay of Diamond Joe
Reiterating that the artist works for Diamond Joe and hinting at the possibility that they will never be free from his employ.
And when I'm called up yonder
Referencing the artist's eventual death and the afterlife that will follow.
And it's my time to go
Elaborating on the previous point by specifying that the singer anticipates their own death.
Give my blankets to my buddies
Giving a specific request for one's possessions to be left to their friends and compatriots after their death.
Give the fleas to Diamond Joe
Using humor to express the artist's distaste for Diamond Joe by stating that they would rather give their pesky fleas to him than any of their belongings.
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.