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

I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep
I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep
I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep
When I woke up, had shackles on my feet

Twenty nine links of chain around my leg
Twenty nine links of chain around my leg
Twenty nine links of chain around my leg
And on each link, an initial of my name

I asked that judge, tell me, what's gonna be my fine
I asked that judge, tell me, what's gonna be my fine
I asked that judge, tell me, what's gonna be my fine
Twenty one years on the Rocky Mountain line

The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
The girl I love, she's on that train and gone

I looked down the track, as far as I could see
I looked down the track, as far as I could see
I looked down the track, as far as I could see
A little bitty hand, was waving after me

If anyone should ask you, who made up this song
If anyone should ask you, who made up this song
If anyone should ask you, who made up this song
Tell 'em it was me, and I sing it all day long