It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
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 and I laid down to sleep
I went across the river and I laid down to sleep
I went across the river and I laid down to sleep
When I woke up, there were shackles on my feet

Twenty one links of chain around my leg
Twenty one links of chain around my leg
Twenty one links of chain around my leg
And on each link, the initials of my name

I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
Twenty one years on the Rocky Mountain Line

If anyone should ask you who composed this song
If anyone should ask you who composed this song
If anyone should ask you who composed this song
Say it was me and I sing it all day long