I was sittin' beside the road in Blackjack County Not knowin' that the sheriff paid a bounty For men like me who didn't have a penny to our names Well he locked my leg to thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
All we had to eat was bread and water Each day we had to build that road a mile and a quarter A black sneak whip would cut our backs when some poor fool complained But you couldn't fight back wearin' thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain [ guitar ] One night while the sheriff he laid sleepin' We all gathered round him slowly creepin' Heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain When we beat him death with thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
All the whip marks have all healed and I am thankful All that there's nothing but a scar around my ankle But most of all I'm glad no man will be a slave again To a black sneak whip and thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain Blackjack County chain Blackjack County chain