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 lay down to sleep
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
When I woke up, put the shackles on my feet

29 links of chain around my leg
29 links of chain around my leg
And on each link an initial of my name

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 asked the judge, what might be my fine
I asked the judge, what might be my fine
21 years on the R.C. Mountain Line

The train arrived, 16 coaches long
The train arrived, 16 coaches long
The girl I love is on that train and gone

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

If anyone should ask you who composed this song
If anyone should ask you who composed this song
Tell 'em 'twas I, and I sing it all day long