Well, I played him in the spring
And I never won a thing
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
And I played him in the fall
I never won nothing at all
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
And I fell down on my knees
Trying to play the jack of spades
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
I played him ‘gainst the ace
There was a starvation in my face
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
I played him ‘gainst the deuce
Puttin’ jack in when it weren’t no use
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
I played him ‘gainst the three
[unknown]
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
And I played him ‘gainst the four
Puttin’ jack right through the door
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
Well, I played him ‘gainst the five
Didn’t need luck to make me cry
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
Yes, and I put him ‘gainst the six
And it left me in a terrible fix
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
[instrumental]
And I told you last week
As plain as a man can speak
I'm gonna send you to your papa, big deal
And I played him ‘gainst the king
That liked to make the dealer sing
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
Well, and I played him ‘gainst the queen
And that turned my money green
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
Well, jack of diamonds
Jack of diamonds
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
Jack of diamonds
Jack of diamonds
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play