Run on, you bad man
The devil's got your soul
Back to selling poor black folk
That you done stole
You’re Ebeneezer Johnson's boy
But that ain't all
You’re on the list of them that's got
So wait your call

Well, there ain't no man
That could ever outwit the Lord
Remember that no devil's soul
Ever saw that golden door

You called out ole Milburn
"Steeple Top" won't budge
And his man, Samson Hat
Sent you sniffling to the judge
The judge said
"Joe, better move on today."
No politics can see you through
If a Milburn's in your way

There ain't no man
That could ever outwit the Lord
Remember that no devil's soul
Ever saw that golden door
Running from the sound
Of the wind in the water
Thinking every time
You turn your back you’re a goner
Hurry up, Joe, better use up
All that profit that you earn
Look out, man, there’s a clock a-ticking
Everywhere you turn

Sail on you bad man
Push that river hull
Well, my old woman lost her mind
When you broke her baby's skull
You and Patty Cannon
Side by side from a tree
Just swinging in that warm breeze
What a sight to see

Well, there ain’t no man
That could ever outwit the Lord
Remember that no devil's soul
Ever saw that golden door, yeah

Aw, no, babe, I said
Run on, you bad man
The devil's got your soul
Run on, you bad man, run
Run on, you bad man
The devil's got your soul, yeah
Run on, you bad man, run

Bad man, run
Bad man, run
Bad man, run
Bad man, run