—Jimmy Cox, 1923
Once I lived the life of a millionaire.
Spending my money; I didn't care.
I took all my friends out for a good time,
Buyin' high price liquor, champagne and wine.
When I began to fall so low,
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go.
If I ever get hold of a dollar again,
Gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins.
Chorus:
Nobody knows you,
When you're down and out.
In you pocket, not one penny.
And your friends, you don't have any.
But if you ever get on your feet again,
Then you'll find your long lost friends.
It's mighty strange, without a doubt.
Nobody knows you when your down and out,
I mean when you're down and out.
Verse & Chorus:
| I | III7 | VIm | VIm |
| VI7 | VI7 | IIm | IIm |
| IV | IV#º | I | VI7 |
| II7 | II7 | V7 | V7 * |
*final time ends on I
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