Hold ’Em Joe Harry Belafonte

[Spoken Spanish at beginning]

Hold 'em Joe, hold'em Joe, hold'em Joe
But don't let him go
Hold 'em Joe, hold'em Joe, hold'em Joe
But don't let him go

Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe
Spring 'round the corner, hold'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold'em Joe

We on a journey he don't walk straight
And that is because he's so underweight
Donkey of mine he don't like weight
Put him on a cart he never walk straight

Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe
Spring 'round the corner, hold'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold'em Joe

My ole donkey went courtin' one day
With a donkey named Melda across the way
She was twice his age, he put up a fight
Now he's cryin' every night
Oh lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my back bone
Lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my back