From the recording The Dealer
Lyrics
James Street Bridge
In a tailored suit, a Stetson triple-X
With a gold watch chained to his vest
Came a country boy, yeah, to the city
Across the James Street Bridge
Across the James Street Bridge my ol’ grandad did go
As a young man to sell cattle by the boxcar load
There in the valley beyond the river’s edge
Lie the Kansas City stockyards across the James Street Bridge
He shined his boots and he brushed his suit ‘n hat
Combed his hair, yeah, in the looking glass
Wound his gold watch then left the depot
And crossed the James Street Bridge, yes he did
Ah the gambler was friendly, the ladies seemed kind
Said big boys spend their money on the poker ‘n the wine
He drew aces at midnight, a full-house at dawn
But come next evening all his money was gone
The gambler said, “Hey kid, it’s time ya fold
“But you can call ‘n show the cards ya hold
“Just lay that gold watch down on the table
“Or cross the James Street Bridge, James St. Bridge
“Go on home kid...”
From the James Street Bridge he could’ve jumped for shame
But he hoboed back home on an old freight train
When my granddaddy died he was laid to rest
In that tailored suit and the gold watch in his vest
In a tailored suit, a Stetson triple-X
With a gold watch chained to his vest
Came a country boy, yeah, to the city
Across the James Street Bridge, lost all his money there
Across the James Street Bridge, gave it to the gamblers
Across the James Street Bridge, dancin’ with the ladies
Down in Kansas City, oh-oh yeah…