You came to me in Boston,
You came to me at home.
You said they’d pay us thousands if we’d lose.
You said there were six others,
You left money in my room,
And said there’s only one thing I could choose.
I can’t read, I can’t write,
I can”t play to lose.
Joseph Jefferson Jackson is my name.
You know that you can’t buy me,
I never was that kind.
You can make me take your money—
But you can’t make me play your game!
I went up to see Commie.
I had to let him know!
I tried to tell him that the fix was in.
He didn’t want to see me,
And he wouldn’t let me sit.
So I just had to do my best to win.
But one man can’t do it all
In this game they call baseball.
And I guess I was a fool to even try.
Even though we didn’t win
I’d do it all again.
Joe Jackson is one man that you can’t buy!
It started as a rumor,
The series had been fixed.
Eventually I found myself in court
The jury said, “Not guilty!”
But they brought Judge Landis in.
As Commissioner, he banned me from the sport.
I can’t read, I can’t write,
I can”t play to lose.
Joseph Jefferson Jackson is my name.
You know that you can’t buy me,
I never was that kind.
You can make me take your money—
But you can’t make me play your game!
