(Traditional)

Oh it takes a worried man, sing a worried song
Takes a worried man, come sing a little worried song
Well it takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now, won't be worried long

I went down to the riverside and I laid me down to sleep
Went down to the riverside, laid me down to sleep, Lord
A-well I went down to the riverside, laid me down to sleep
When I woke up there were shackles on both-a my feet
Hit it!

(Chorus)
It takes a worried man, to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man (come) to sing a worried song
Yeah, it takes a worried man, yeah, to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
Worry for me!

(Instrumental)

I said, Judge (judge) judge, what's a-gonna be my fine?
I said, Judge (judge) judge (judge) tell me what's gonna be my fine?
I said, Judge (judge) judge (judge) tell me what's gonna be my fine?
He said, Twenty-one years (oh) on that old Rock Island Line

Oh well it takes a worried man, to sing a worried song
Takes a worried man, to sing a worried song
Yeah, it takes a worried man, to sing a worried song
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long
Sing it one more time!

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