Al Stewart - Willie the King

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