Crazy little child

Never got to see

All the pretty things in life

Had him put away

Nothing they could say

Could ever make the pieces fit



Aw well, Daddy-o was rich

Mama was a bitch

Living wasn't easy in between

Behind his silent scream

Jackson in his teens

Was planning his escape



He was a crazy little child

New Orleans Alley playground

Grimy faced

He watched the hookers cry

Winos were his friends And when he talked to them

They said, "Jackson, boy, they'll get you by and by"



Depression settin' in

Desp'rate, cool and quick

Jackson learned the ropes out on the street

Little candy stores

Just pickin' locks and doors

Was practice for a two bit petty thief



So Jackson went to Ritz

And ev'ryone was hip

Ritz ran all the rackets there in town

If you need another boy

A trigger or a blade

Well, I'm the slickest cat around



Yeah, Ritz gave him the eye

Once over, then he smiled

"Yeah, I've got something here in mind

If you meet me here at two

I think you'll like the view

Of that long green when you crack that safe tonight"



He was a crazy little child

New Orleans Alley playground

And grimy faced

He watched the hookers cry, whoo

Winos were his friends

And when he talked to them

They said, "Jackson, boy, they'll get you by and by," that's right



Well, I'll wait for you outside

And I'll be your ears and your eyes

And boy, you just slip in there and bring out all that loot

But Ritz was taken by surprise

Couple of unspectin' guys

And they left poor Jackson inside



Questions there were few

In fact there were none

When those Sheriff's bullets start to fly

Lay dying on the floor

With a smokin' forty four

He said, "I must admit the winos were right"



Crazy little child

Never got to see

All the pretty things in life

We buried him today

Nothing we could say

Could ever make the pieces fit



Yeah, I must admit the winos were right

Oh, I must admit the winos were right

Yes, that's what I said

I must admit the winos we-ere ri-ight