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

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

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

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

(chorus twice)