Have you ever taken a chance, with the policy game? Have you ever taken a chance, with the policy game? You play three numbers, see what you can gain If you should lose, don't get mad at all If you should lose, don't get mad and all You sure can't win, 'less'n your number's called I've got the policy blues, I ain't got no money to play I've got the policy blues, I haven't got no money to play I know my number will fall today I woke up in the mornin', with one thin dime I woke up, up this mornin', with one thin dime The policy man gets that before the clock strikes nine Then I set around hungry, the rest of the day Then I set around hungry, rest of the day Waitin' for him to come black (sic), with your play I'll tell you what all the boys on Beale Street know I will tell you all what the boys on Beale Street know It's the black man in the train and four--eleven--forty-four They almost curse, when the drawing comes back They almost curse, when the drawing come back That policy man sure can shake a wicked sack