Lyrics:

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

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

Well, you always kept sayin' how you think that I should stay
And we could get started on our own family
Come along tomorrow I'll be on the mornin' train
Gonna boogie back to Texas couldn't drag your ball and chain

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

I used to wake up every mornin' and I'd do the rat race
Suit and tie, nine to five wouldn't my place
Didn't take too long for me to understand
I could never be a blue collar workin' class man

(chorus twice)
Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again
Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing
I could never drag a ball and chain

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