In My Reply

Matthew was a country boy

Until one day he found

That cheatin' folks was easier

Than plowin' his daddy's ground



He left his farm in Ohio

Bound for Chicago town

He crossed Big Jim and turned his back

A bullet laid him down



And as he lay there dying

He begged, "Will I see my Ohio?"

In my reply, I lied a bit

And said I did not know



Jim McCall was meek and small

And to become a man

He'd have to build himself up tall

With fancy folks and land



He threw some stones at honest friends

And got himself these things

His children left him and he sneered

"That's what my kindness brings"



And in the South End he got lost

And asked me where to go

In my reply, I lied a bit

And said I did not know



And lazy Susan called me up

She'd heard I stole the show

In my reply I lied a bit

And said I did not know

In my reply I lied a bit

And said I did not know