Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey, I cry

If I don't get rye whiskey, I surely will die

Beef steak when I'm hungry, rye whiskey when I'm dry

Greenbacks when I'm hard up, religion when I die

Jack a' diamonds, jack a' diamonds, I know you no more

You rob my poor pockets of silver and gold

If the river was whiskey and I was a duck

I'd dive to the bottom, I'd never come up

But the river ain't whiskey and I ain't no duck

I'll go to the bar room and get one sweet suck

Jack a' diamonds, jack a' diamonds, I know you no more

You rob my poor pockets of silver and gold

Tie hackin's too difficult, investment's too slow

Train robbin's too dangerous, it's gamblin' I go

Jack a' diamonds, jack a' diamonds, you been my downfall

I love you and I hate you and I love you for it all

Jack a' diamonds, jack a' diamonds, I know you the most

You rob my poor pockets of silver and gold