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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. 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! 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!
This song was inspired by the book Shoeless Joe & Me: A Baseball Card
Adventure by Dan Gutman. In the book, Joe Jackson says, "I can't play to
lose." It brought tears to my eyes and, within a short time, the chorus to my
heart. It took longer for the verses. I read a biography that I got on
inter-library loan, where I got the details. But even so, it took awhile for
it to come together.
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