You might come to understand
Why I'm old and bent and devil's been runnin' out of time
When I long ago held a royal flush in my hand

Oh, I was a super market fool, I was a roll-the-bank, a
Stool pigeon
Robbing my hometown
I thought I'd lost the blues, yes, I thought I'd paid my dues
I thought I'd found the life to suit my style

But here I sit ol' Spider John
The robber man
Long, tall and handsome
Yes, ol' Spider John with the loaded hand
Taking ransom

Then one day I met Diamond Lil
She was the sweetest thing, I declare
That the summer breeze ever blown my way
But, lady, she had no idea my illustrious occupation
She thought I was a saint, not a sinner gone astray
But you see that word got around and Lily left town
Never saw her again
Tossin' and turnin', causin' my heart to grieve

Oh, I was a super market fool, I was roll-the-bank, stool pigeon
Robbing my hometown
I thought I'd lost my blues, thought I'd paid my dues
I thought I'd found the life to suit my style
But here I sit ol' Spider John
The robber man
Long, tall and handsome
Yes, ol' Spider John with the loaded hand
Taking ransom