Lyrics:

C Am C
Thirty links of chain thirty links of chain
F C
I'll do a year for every link with a number for a name
Am G7 C
Thirty links of chain

Am F C
I've got a story I must tell what fills my heart with pain
Am F C
That's why I wear this big iron ball and thirty links of chain
Am F C
It started not so long ago when I introduced a friend
Am F C
To my best gal one summer night never dreaming of its end

Am C
Thirty links of chain thirty links of chain
F C
I'll do a year for every link with a number for a name
Am G7 C
Thirty links of chain

Am F C
I caught them out together one night in lover's lane
Am F C
The judge said boy that's murder you must have been insane
Am F C
Now here I am in Georgia I'm a cuttin' sugar cane
Am F C
Just me and my guard and a big iron ball and thirty links of chain

Am C
Thirty links of chain thirty links of chain
F C
I'll do a year for every link with a number for a name
Am G7 C
Thirty links of chain

Am G7 C Am G7 C
Thirty links of chain thirty links of chain