CHORUS
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song,
it takes a worried man to sing a worried song,
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long.

I went across the river, I laid down to sleep,
I went across the river, I laid down to sleep,
when I woke up, were the shackles on my feet.
Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg,
twenty-nine links of chain around my leg,
and on each link, the initial of my name.

CHORUS

I asked the judge what might be my fine,
I asked the judge what might be my fine,
twenty-one years on the Rocky Mountain Line.
The train arrived, sixteen coaches long,
The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
the girl I love is on that train and gone.

CHORUS

If anyone asks you who composed this song,
if anyone asks you who composed this song,
tell him 'twas I and I sing it all day long.

CHORUS