I used to think life was worth living And everything was just fine I came and I went And I spent all the best of my time But then I learned to live Just to care about Heaven Like the only thing on my mind Now I've forgotten my existence Like a prisoner serving his time I'm in Chains Me oh my Somebody said I'll feel better In the by-and-by I'm in Chains My oh me This life wants to hold me Till the next one sets me free I used to like being a human And having a mind of my own I never would've thought I ought to be like a holy drone But then my mind it was illumined And my identity was gone I've got to follow to the letter Like a beggar with leg-irons on I'm in Chains Me oh my Somebody said I'll feel better In the by-and-by I'm in Chains My oh me This life wants to hold me Till the next one sets me free