Blackjack County Chain

We all gathered round him slowly creepin'
When we beat him to death with a thirty-five pounds
And then one night while the sheriff was a sleepin'
Of Blackjack County chain
Of Blackjack County chain
And each day we had to build that road a mile and a quarter

But we couldn't fight back wearin' 35 pounds
Of Blackjack County chain
That there's nothing but a scar around my ankle
And heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain
So he locked my leg to thirty-five pounds
Blackjack County chain
And all we had to eat was bread and water

For men like me who didn't have a penny to their names
And a black sneak whip would cut our backs
But most of all I'm glad no man will be the slave again
Now the whip marks have all healed and I am thankful

Of Blackjack County chain
To a black sneak whip and thirty-five pounds
When some poor fool complained