One night, as I lay on my pillow
Moonlight as bright as the dawn
And I saw a man a-walkin'
He had a long chain on

I heard his chains a-clankin'
And then a mournful sound
Welded around his body
Draggin' along the ground

He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on

He stood beside my window
He looked at me and he said
'I am so tired and hungry
Give me a bite of your bread'

He didn't look like a robber
He didn't look like a thief
His voice was soft as the moonlight
His face full of sorrow and grief

He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on

I went into my kitchen
And got him a bowl full of meat
A drink and a pan of cold biscuits
That's what I gave him to eat

Though he was tired and hungry
A bright light came over his face
He bowed his head in the moonlight
He said a beautiful grace

He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on

Well, I fetched my hammer and chisel
Offered to set him free
He shook his head and said softly
'Well, I can't sleep best, let it be'

When he had finished his supper
He thanked me again and again
Though it's been years since I've saw him
No, I still hear him draggin' his chain

He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on