Lyrics:

I went across the river I lay down to sleep I went across the river I lay down to sleep
When I woke up had shackles on my feet
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
[ fiddle ]
Twenty one links of chain around my leg twenty one links of chain around my leg
And on each link is initial of a man
It takes a worried man...
[ banjo ]
If anyone should ask you who could sing this song
If anyone should ask you who could sing this song
Just say that I'll sing it all day long
It takes a worried man...