Blackjack County Chains

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