The Hitter (Album Version)

The Hitter - Bruce Springsteen

Come to the door ma and unlock the chain

Well I was just passin through and got caught in the rain

Theres nothing that I want nothin that you need say

Just let me lie down a while and Ill be on my way

I was no more than a kid when you put me on the southern queen

With the police on my back I fled to new orleans

Well I fought in the dockyards for the the money that I made

And the fight was my home and any blood was my trade

Baton rouge and lafayette town

They payed me the moon ma to knock the man down

Well I did what I did yeah it come easily

For as know ma restraint and mercy were always strangers to me

I fought champion jack thompson in a field full of mud

Rain poured through the tent canvas and mixed with our blood

In the twelfth slipped my tounge over my broken jaw

And I pounded his body into the floor

Well the bell rang and rang and still I kept on

Til I felt my glove leather slip tween his skin and bone

And the women and the money came fast and the days I lost track

The women red the money green but the numbers were black

I fought for the men in their silk suits to lay down their bets

Well I took my good share ma I have no regrets

I took the fixed staid hombre with big diamond don

Well from high in the rafters I watched myself fall

He raised his arms stomach twisted and the sky it went black

I stuffed my bag with their good money ma and never looked back

Understand me and my every man plays the game

Well if you know anyone different then speak out his name

My life my face now you don't recognize

Well just open the door and look into your dark eyes

I ask of you nothin not a kiss not a smile

Just open the door and let me lie down for a while

Now the gray rain is fallin and my ring fightins done

So in the work fields and alleys I take them wholl come

If you're a better man than me then just step to the line

Show me your money and speak out your crime

Theres nothin I want ma nuthin that you need say

Just let me lie for a while and Ill be on my way

Well tonight in stockyard a man draws a circle in the dirt

I move to the center and take off my shirt

I study him for the cuts the scars the pain no time can erase

I move hard to the left and I strike to the face