I was standin' by the road in Black Jack County
Not knowing that the sheriff paid a bounty
For men like me who didn't have a penny to their name
He locked my legs in thirty five pounds
Of Black Jack County chains

All we had to eat was bread and water
Every day we had to build his road a mile and a quarter
A black snake whip would sting our backs
If some poor fool complained
But we couldn't fight back wearin' thirty five pounds
Of Black Jack County chains

Then one night the sheriff lay a-sleepin'
We all gathered 'round him, slowly creepin'
Heaven help me to forget that night in the cold, cold rain
When we beat him to death wearin' thirty five pounds
Of Black Jack County chains

The wounds have all healed and I'm thankful
And there's nothin' left but scars around my ankle
The best of all no man will ever be a slave again
To a black snake whip and thirty five pounds
Of Black Jack County chains
Best of all no man will ever be a slave again