Well it's been ten years, and a thousand tears

And look at the mess I'm in-

A broken nose and a broken heart,

An empty bottle of gin

Well I sit and I pray

In my broken down Chevrolet-

While I'm singin' to myself

There's got to be another way



Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain

I'm lonely and I'm tired

And I can't take any more pain

Take away, take away

Never to return again

Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain



Well I've searched and I've searched

To find the perfect life-

A brand new car and a brand new suit

I even got me a little wife-

But wherever I have gone

I was sure to find myself there-

You can run all your life

But not go anywhere



Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain

I'm lonely and I'm tired

And I can't take any more pain

Take away, take away

Never to return again

Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain



Well I'll pass the bar on the way

To my dingy hotel room-

I spent all my money

Been drinkin' since a half past noon-

I'll wake there in the mornin'

Or maybe in the county jail-

Times are hard getting harder

I'm born to lose and destined to fail-



Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain

I'm lonely and I'm tired

And I can't take any more pain

Take away, take away

Never to return again

Take away, take away

Take away this ball and chain