The Baron

de Johnny Cash

Wish I had a known ya
When you were a little younger
Around me you might have learned
A thing or two
If I had known you longer
You might be a little stronger
And maybe youd shoot straighter
Then you doooo
Maybe youd shoot straighter
Then you do

As he walked into the poolroom
You could tell he didnt fit
In his handmade boots, custom suits
And pearl handled shooting stick
Tonight thered be a showdown
Then everyone would know
Who shoots the meanest game around
The baron or Billy Joe
Billy Joe looked edgy
About to lose his cool
But the barons hands were steady
As the two began to duel
Yeah he was like a general
On a battlefield of slate
And he'd say to Billy Joe
Each time he sunk the eight
Hed say

Now Billy Joe was busted
But he hadnt felt the sting
And from the far end of the table
He threw his mothers wedding ring
And he said you won my money
But it aint gonna do the trick
Ill bet this ring on one more game
Against your fancy stick
The barons eyes got foggy
As the ring rolled on the felt
And he almost doubled over
Like he had been hit below the belt
Twenty years ago
It was the ring his wife had worn
And he didnt know before he left
That a son would soon be born
It sounded just like thunder
When the baron shot the break
But it grew thickly quiet
As he lined up the eight
Then a warm hand touched his shoulder
And it chilled him to the bone
When he turned and saw the woman
Who had loved him for so long
The game was never finished
The eight ball never fell
The baron calmly picked it up
And put it on the shelf
Then he placed the ring
In the hands that held him long ago
And he tossed that fancy shooting stick
To his son Billy Joe
And he said