Stringer he's a bad man, he murders for pleasure
Stringer he's a bad man, a con man, a thief
The cops they want to catch him but Stringer's too clever
He slips through the dragnet by the skin of his teeth

The poor and the needy they sing of his exploits
They feed him and hide him like one of their own
But Stringer is a scoundrel, a taker a user
He cares about Stringer and Stringer alone

Many's the dear friend he's sold down the river
He follows no code 'cos he does as he wishes
Stab you in the back with his tongue or his flickknife
Grass you to the Sweeney or feed you to the fishes

Stringer he's a bad man, he murders for pleasure
Stringer he's a bad man, a con man, a thief

Stringer he's a bad man, and there's no redemption
His old white-haired mother, she once turned him in
He grins ear to ear as he's lying or scheming
Or pulling the trigger but thinks it no sin

His enemies lie there unmarked in the forest
Don't mess with old Stringer or you'll get the same
He doesn't do feelings, he doesn't do pity
He'll waste you and then say, my dear, what a shame

Now Burchett and Gravett and Stringer and Streeter
And Wheeler and Fowler, they ruled the whole town
Where are they now, those kings of the underworld
Stringer's the only one left above ground

Stringer he's a bad man, he murders for pleasure
Stringer he's a bad man, a con man, a thief