Chicago is all right to visit, but please don't hang around.
You'll find smooth blacks and high yellows, boy and those mellow browns.
But when your bankroll is gone, you just another chump that's dropped into town.

My first night in Chicago, my friends they really treated me fine.
And over night, they all changed like daylight savings time.
And everything I wanted, I had to lay my money down on the line.

I said, “Baby you're so lovely, your eyes shine like the stars above.
You wear number 3 shoes, yes and wear number 5 gloves.”
She say, “It's money I need, baby, and I don't need love.”

I said, “I could make you love me darlin', baby I just know I could.
You can learn to love me, baby, I know you could.”
She says, “Lay your money down, baby, and make your bettin' good.”

I said, “Let's go to New York baby, I'll buy you anything you like.
I will give you plenty of money, I will buy you a 1942 Cadillac.”
She says, “I'm sorry, this fine brown body will be here when you get back.”