(A.P. Carter)

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
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.

This train I ride is twenty-one coaches long
Yeah this train I ride is twenty-one coaches long
This train I ride is twenty-one coaches long
The one I love she's on that train and gone.

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
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.

I went across the river to lay me down to sleep
I went across the river to lay me down to sleep
I went across the river gonna me down to sleep
I woke up and I 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
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long.

--- Instrumental ---

I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
I said old judge what's gonna be my fine
Twenty-one days on the Rocky Island Line.

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
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...