A5                           D5 
Well, it started 'bout a month ago when I was in the can 
      E5               A5 
For firin' off my .44 at another man 
                                         D5 
Ain't been too good at bustin' rock or workin' chain gang 
  E5                           A5 
Never could see me draggin' that ol' ball and chain 
 

  A5        D5            E5               A5 
Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again 
                     D5 
Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing 
          E5                     A5 
I could never drag a ball and chain  
 

             A5                         D5 
Well, you always kept sayin' how you think that I should stay 
     E5                           A5 
And we could get started on our own family 
                              D5 
Come along tomorrow I'll be on the mornin' train 
        E5                             A5 
Gonna boogie back to Texas couldn't drag your ball and chain 
 
(chorus) 
            A5                           D5 
I used to wake up every mornin' and I'd do the rat race 
  E5                           A5 
Suit and tie, nine to five wouldn't my place 
                                 D5 
Didn't take too long for me to understand 
          E5                      A5 
I could never be a blue collar workin' class man 
 
(chorus twice)