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, I lay down to sleep

I went across the river, 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 leg

The initials 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 I ride, sixteen coaches long

The train I ride, sixteen coaches long

The girl I love

Is on that train and gone

If anyone asks you who composed this song

If anyone asks you who composed this song

Tell 'em was I

And I sing it all day long

The Carter Family

Traditional folk song

1st recorded 24 May 1930

Auditorium, Memphis, Tennessee

Singers - Sara and Maybelle Carter

The verses tell the story of a man imprisoned for unknown reasons

Further activities:

• Scroll down for Worried Man Blues, arranged and presented to the Musescore Community by Michael Ferraro.
• Guitar players - learn the song using the tablature.
• Listen to recordings by Forest Campfire, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Burl Ives and others.
• Compose and record your own arrangement using instruments / voices / computer.

WORRIED MAN BLUES