Tom: Am
Am E E/G Am
[Verse 1]
Am G Am
I was standin' beside the road in Blackjack County
Am G E
Not knowing the sheriff paid a bounty
Am G F E
For men like me who didn't have a penny to their names
Am G E E/G Am
So he locked my leg to thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
[Verse 2]
Am G Am
And all we had to eat was bread and water
Am G E
And each day we had to build that road a mile and a quarter
Am G F E
A black snake whip would crack our backs if some poor fool complained
Am G E E/G Am
And you couldn't fight back wearin' thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
[Verse 3]
Am G Am
And then one night when the sheriff was a-sleepin'
Am G E
We gathered all around him slowly creepin'
Am G F E
Heaven help me to forget that night in the cold, cold rain
Am G E E/G Am
When we beat him to death with thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
[Interlude]
Am E E/G Am
Am E E/G Am
[Verse 4]
Am G Am
Now the whip marks have all healed and I am thankful
Am G E
That there's nothing but these scars around my ankles
Am G F E
But most of all I'm glad no man will be a slave again
Am G E E/G Am
To a black snake whip and thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
Am G E E/G Am
To a black snake whip and thirty-five pounds of Blackjack County chain
E E/G Am
Blackjack County chain
E E/G Am
Blackjack County chain
