He got thrown out of school cos he couldn't write his name
His mother never married earned her livin' on the game
He got his money dealin' an hustlin' at the bars
An when things got too tough he took to stealin' cars
Got mixed up with some crazy guys that came from way out East
They got themselves some pistols robbed banks an shot police
Their names became infamous had their faces in the news
An when they all split up he settled down to chase the moon
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
He grew a beard he took his lady they went to live down South
An' with all the stolen money bought himself a big fine house
Started up a business strippin' down used trucks
Insurance jobs an' hot cars made a few more bucks
Champagne days an' champagne nights dinin' at the Ritz
Roulette chemin de feu one thousand dollar chips
Cocktails by the pool dailies in to clean
Five years on things were cool the best that they had been
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
His wife she had got a fancy man man fighting was his game
He was a promoter had letters to his name
He also liked high livin' fast cars expensive clothes
Well sophisticated he knew just where to go
All the latest fashions he really did have style
An his flash and classy manner sure impressed the sweet young wife
But her infidelity was spotted by her man
An in a jealous fit of rage attacked there was no plan
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
A broken bourbon bottle caught her right betweeen the eyes
She yelled an she screamed an' she hollered an' she cried
An as she lay there bleeding she swore she'd get revenge
And in that pool of blood she cursed aloud with her last breath
Her husband white with fear terror shootin' down his spine
Knew he had to get away he surely would do time
He packed a few belongings opened up the safe
Pulled out all the cash an' gold an went down to the gate
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya
Gone to Malaya