—Jimmie Cox, 1923 (Eric Clapton's version)
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spent all my money, didn't have any care
Took all my friends out for mighty good time
We bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
Lost all my good friends, had nowhere to go
I get my hands on a dollar again
I'll hang on to it 'til that eagle grins
Because nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket, not one penny
And as for friends, you don't have any
When you get back on your feet again
Everybody wants to be your long-lost friend
I said it's mighty strange, without any doubt
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
Oh, nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket, not one penny
And as for friends, you don't have any
When you get back on your feet again
Everybody wants to be your long-lost friend
I said it's strange, without any doubt
Nobody knows you (nobody knows you)
Nobody knows you (nobody knows you)
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
Verse and Chorus:
| I | III | VI | VI7 |
| IIm | VI7 | IIm | IIm |
| IV | IV#º | I | VI7 |
| II7 | II7 | V7 | V7 |
Original 1923 Jimmie Cox lyrics, as sung by Bessie Smith
Once I lived a life of a millionaire
Spendin' my money, I didn't care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Buy bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
When I begin to fall so low
I didn't have a friend and no place to go
But if I ever get my hands on a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on to it 'til them eagles grin
Nobody knows you
When you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends, I haven't any
But if I ever get on my feet again
And I'll meet my long-lost friend
It's mighty strange without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean, when you down and out
Mm
When you down and out
Mm
Not one penny
And my friends, I haven't any
Mm, and I felt so low
Nobody wants me 'round their door
Mm, without a doubt
No man can use you when you down and out
I mean when you down and out