Cold iron shackles, ball and chain Listen to the whistle of the evening train You know you bound to wind up dead If you don't head back to Tennessee Jed Rich man step on my poor head When you get back you better butter my bread Well you know it's like I said You better head back to Tennessee Jed Tennessee, Tennessee There ain't no place I'd rather be Baby won't you carry me Back to Tennessee Drank all day and rock all night The law come to get you if you don't walk right Got a letter this morning, baby, and all it read You better head back to Tennessee Jed I dropped four flights and cracked my spine Buddy come quick with the iodine Catch a few winks, baby, under the bed Then you head back to Tennessee Jed Tennessee, Tennessee There ain't no place I'd rather be Baby won't you carry me Back to Tennessee I ran into Charlie Phogg Blacked my eye and he kicked my dog My doggie turned to me and he said Let's head back to Tennessee Jed I woke up feeling mean I went down to play the slot machine The wheels turned around and the letters read You better head back to Tennessee Jed Tennessee, Tennessee There ain't no place I'd rather be Baby won't you carry me Back to Tennessee

Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission