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 35 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' 35 pounds of Black Jack County chains And one night the Sheriff laid 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' 35 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 35 pounds of Black Jack County chains Best of all, no man will ever be a slave again