Worried Man Blues

Traditional folk song first recorded in 1930 by the Carter Family, also recorded 1940 by Woody Guthrie, and with revised lyrics in 1959 by the Kingston Trio, was theme song for the 2001 PBS TV series American Roots Music, performed 2002 by the Southern Comfort Bluegrass Band

Prison chain gang in South ca. 1900, from LC

Chorus:
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 with the shackles on my feet.

Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg,
Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg,
And on each link is initial of my name.

I asked the judge what might be my fine,
I asked the judge what might be my fine,
"Twenty-one years on the Rocky Mountain line."

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

If any one asks you who composed this song,
If any one asks you who composed this song,
Tell him it was I and I sing it all day long.

Southern Comfort Bluegrass Band has mp3 version of the song online
Worried Man Blues from American Roots Music
Carter Family by John Lilly

revised 2/20/03 by Schoenherr | Songs