Worried Man Blues

Worried Man Blues
Traditional song, popularized by the Carter Family
Rights: public-domain-us

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.

Verse:
I went across the river, laid down to sleep,
I went across the river, I laid down to sleep,
When I woke up, there were 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:
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.

Verse:
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:
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.

Verse:
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.