Dave Van Ronk Sportin' Life Lyrics

I got a letter from my home
All of my schoolmates, they're dead an'gone
It'll make you worry
It'll make you wonder 'bout days to come

My mother used to talk to me
I was young and foolish, Brownie could not see
Now, I have no mother, my sisters
And my brothers, they don't care for me

Mama used to fall on her knees an' pray
These are the words, mother,she used to say
She would say: "Brownie, wha-oh
My son, please change your way" Now, I'm goin' to change my way
I'm growin' older each and every day
When I was young and foolish
I was so easy, easy to let

I was a gambler and a cheater, too, now
It's come my turn to lose
This ole sportin' life
Got the best hand, what can I do?

There ain't but one thing Brownie done wrong
I liv'd that ole sportin' life too long
Friends, it's no good, please believe me
Please leave it alone