Ball 'N' Chain

Judge said guilty, away I went 99 years in the San Quentin pen Put me to work on this road gang Gave me a hammer and a ball 'n' chain Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away Can't stand these chains not one more day Every night get on my knees and pray Lordy please come and take me away I remember back one moonshine night Killed a man in a drunken fight I'll see you swing, boy, the sheriff swore As he turned the key in the cell block door Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away Can't stand these chains not one more day Every night get on my knees and pray Lordy please come and take me away I'll never touch another drop of whiskey I'll never cheat at cards again, I swear Won't tell no lies, I'll say my prayers on Sunday If my poor soul you would spare Oh come and set me free You know this ain't no life fore me Oh come and set me free Set me free If I could shake these ole' leg irons I'ld be runnin' from the dogs and the police sirens With a little luck I just might make it Give me half a chance and you know I'll take it I'll never touch another drop of whiskey I'll never cheat at cards again, I swear Won't tell no lies, I'll say my prayers on Sunday If my poor soul you would spare On come and set me free You know this ain't no life fore me Oh come and set me free Set me free I was spare the rope got life hard time Forgive me Lord for my crime My spirit and back's been broken Wish I'd swung from that tall oak Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away Can't stand these chains not one more day Every night get on my knees and pray Lordy please come and take me away Take me away won't ya take me Take me away won't ya take me Take me away won't ya take me Take me away come and take me away Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away Can't stand these chains not one more day Every night get on my knees and pray Lordy please come and take me away