Blackjack County Chains - Christy Moore

I was sittin' by the road in Blackjack County

Not knowing that that the Sheriff paid a bounty

For men like me that didn’t have a penny to their name

They locked my leg to 35 pounds of Blackjack County chains

And all we had to eat was bread and water

Each day we built the road a mile and a quarter

A Black Snake Whip, would cut the back, of any man who com--plained

But we couldn’t fight back wearing 35 pounds of Blackjack County chains

One night while the Sheriff was a'--sleeping

We all gathered round him slowly creeping

And Heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain

When we beat him to death with 35 pounds of Blackjack County chains

Now the whip marks are all healed and I’m thankful

There’s nothing but the scar around my ankle

But most of all I’m glad no man will be a slave a--gain

To a Black Snake Whip, and 35 pounds of Blackjack County chains