Cold iron shackles and a ball and chain

Listen to the whistle of the evening train

You know you bound to wind up dead

if you don't head back to Tennessee, Jed



Rich man step on my poor head

When you get up you better butter my bread

Well you know it's like I said

You better head back to Tennessee, Jed



Tennessee, Tennessee

There ain't no place I'd rather be

Baby won't you carry me

Back to Tennessee



Drink all day and rock all night

Law come to get you if you don't walk right

Got a letter this morning and all it read:

You better head back to Tennessee, Jed



I dropped four flights and cracked my spine

Honey come quick with the iodine

Catch a few winks down under the bed

Then head back to Tennessee, Jed



Tennessee, Tennessee

There ain't no place I'd rather be

Baby won't you carry me

Back to Tennessee



I ran into Charley Phogg

He blacked my eye and he kicked my dog

My dog he turned to me and he said

Let's head back to Tennessee, Jed



I woke up a feeling mean

Went down to play the slot machine

The wheels turned round and the letters read

Better head back to Tennessee, Jed



Tennessee, Tennessee

Ain't no place I'd rather be

Baby won't you carry me

Back to Tennessee