The Baron - 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 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