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