Blackjack County Chain

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I was sitting beside the road in Blackjack County Not knowing that the sheriff paid a bounty For men like me who didn't have a penny to their names [Refrain] So he locked my leg to thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chains [Verse 2] All we had to eat was bread and water And each day we had to build that road a mile and a quarter And a blacksnake whip would cut our backs when some poor fool complained [Refrain] But we couldn't fight back wearing thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chains [Instrumental Break] [Verse 3] And then one night while the sheriff was a sleeping We all gathered 'round him slowly creeping And heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain [Refrain] When we beat him to death with the thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chains [Verse 4] Now the whip marks have all healed and I am thankful That there's nothing but a scar round my ankle Most of all I'm glad no man will be a slave again [Refrain] To a blacksnake whip and thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chains, Blackjack County chains, Blackjack County chains