I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep,
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 there were shackles on my feet.
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.
Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg,
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,
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 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,
If any one asks you who composed this song,
Tell him it was I and I sing it all day long.