Johnny Cash - The Baron lyrics

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 you'd shoot straighter than you do Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do As he walked into the poolroom, you could tell he didn't fit In his handmade boots, custom suits, and pearl handled shooting stick Tonight there'd 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 Baron's 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 He'd say... 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 you'd shoot straighter than you do Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do Now Billy Joe was busted, but he hadn't felt the sting And from the far end of the table, he threw his mother's wedding ring And he said "you won my money, but it ain't gonna do the trick I'll bet this ring on one more game against your fancy stick" The Baron's 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 didn't 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... 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 you'd shoot straighter than you do Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do