I'd like to disagree with you that crime don't pay
But you make a lot of enemies along the way
The alchemy you need to find the perfect lick
The sleight of hand until you find the three chord trick

He made a lot of money and he made a lot of foes
I guess he liked the smell of it just following his nose
And once you find the formula you can't go wrong
If you've played the blues, you knew it all along
Play the three chord trick and you've got yourself a song

He can juggle with the best of them and that's a fact
He can conjure an illusion from a loaded pack
He'll try to take the credit for it, that won't stick
It's just another version of the three chord trick

He's holding all the cards and you can take your choice
Don't look him in the eyes, don't listen to the voice
If you focus on the hands you can't go wrong
If you paid your dues you knew it all along
Play the three chord trick and you've got yourself a song

They call it double dealing and the art is in the hand
Many years of practice and your wish is my command
If you believe in magic, let the mystery unfold
And it seems that sand turns into gold

If you've played the blues, you knew it all along
Play the three chord trick and you've got yourself a song