WORRIED MAN SONG
(learned in the 1950s; also found in Song Fest)
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.
I went 'cross the river, and I lay down to sleep///
When I awoke, there were shackles on my feet.
It takes a worried man...
Twenty-nine links of iron chain around my leg///
And on each one, an initial of my name.
It takes a worried man...
I asked the judge what would be my fine///
He said, Twenty-one years on the Rocky Mountain line.
It takes a worried man...
Twenty-one years to pay for my awful crime///
Twenty-one years, and I've still got ninety-nine.
It takes a worried man...
Then the train arrived, sixteen coaches long///
The girl I loved is on that train and gone.
It takes a worried man...
I looked down the track, far as I could see///
Little bitty hand was a-wavin' after me.
It takes a worried man...
If anyone should ask you, who composed this song///
Tell 'em it was I, and I sing it all day long.
It takes a worried man...
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)