—Riley Puckett (mostly)
I come here to tell you people I'm ragged but right
I'm a thief and a gambler I get drunk every night
Get a porterhouse steak three times a day for my board
That's more than any loafer in this town can afford
Got a big electric fan to keep me cool while I sleep
A little baby girl plays around at my feet
I'm a ramblin' gambler and I'm drunk every night
I tell you boys, I'm ragged but right.
Bridge:
I go everywhere, I don't pay no fare
I can ride a freight train just anywhere
If I win or lose I don't get the blues
It's gamblin' and roamin' for me.
I hopped on a freight train in North Caroline
Rode down to Atlanta and bought me some shine
Went into a card game with 39 cents
And came out with enough for another month's rent.
I got an ol' lazy hound dog who brings me my shoes.
He sleeps at my feet and we drink the same booze
Oh he's a tramp and a rounder, he leads a dirty life
I tell you people we're ragged but right.
Verse:
| I | V | V | I I7 |
| IV IV#º | I VI | II | V |
| I | V | V | I I7 |
| IV IV#º | I VI | II V | I |
Bridge:
| I | I | I | II V |
| I | IV | I V | I |
—The Greenbriar Boys' version
Well I just come here to tell you people I'm ragged but right
A thief and a gambler and I'm drunk every night
It's three porterhouse steaks each night and day for my board
More'n any flatfoot in your town can afford
Well it's a big electric fan to keep me cool while I sleep
A pretty little woman just to tickle my feet
I'm a rambler a gambler and I'm lit up every night
I'm a rootin' tootin' dope fiend, but right.
Bridge:
Oh, I go everywhere, I don't pay no fare
I can ride a freight train most everywhere
If I win or lose oh, I don't get the blues,
Oh a ramblin' joker that's me.
I got an ol' lazy hound dog who brings me my shoes.
He sleeps at my feet and we drink the same booze
Oh he's a rambling gambler, he gets drunk every night.
I tell you people we're ragged but right.
My house is bought with pawnshop tickets, red, white and blue
My clothes are made from zebra skins right out of the zoo
I got a mess of mash right in the back, I made it myself
And the hearts of all my girlfriends lyin' right there on the shelf
Well now I've sung my song, and I've given you a taste,
I'd like to linger longer but I got to make haste,
I'm always wheelin' and dealin' with plenty of feelin' and high as a kite,
I tell you folks I'm ragged but right.
I hopped on a freight train in North Caroline.
Rode down to Atlanta and bought me some shine.
Went into a card game with 39 cents,
And came out with enough for another month's rent.
Well you may think I'm bragging but don't get me wrong
I can't run for office while I'm singing this song
I'm a thief and a gambler and I'm drunk every night
I tell you boys I'm ragged but right.
'Cause I'm a ramblin' man, a gamblin' man, and Lord, am I tight!
I just called to tell you that I'm ragged but right.