Ball And Chain Blues

[Verse 1: Peg Leg Howell]
I laid in jail, back turned to the wall
I laid in jail, back turned to the wall
There's a Georgia woman was the cause of it all

[Spoken: Jim Hill]
I know there was a Georgia woman!

[Verse 2: Peg Leg Howell]
They 'rested me, carried me 'fore the judge
They 'rested me, they carried me 'fore the judge
Said the judge wouldn't 'low me to say a mumbling word

[Spoken: Jim Hill]
That's right! I know they give you a long time too!

[Verse 3: Peg Leg Howell]
I asked the judge what might be my fine (rake or pick)
I asked the judge what might be my fine (that cycle [?])
Said, 'a pick and shovel, deep down in the mine'

[Verse 4: Peg Leg Howell]
Well I told the judge I ain't been here before (well you told him a lie, you know it)
I told the judge I ain't been here before (you can't fool him! you can't fool him)
If you give me light sentence, I won't come here no more

[Spoken: Jim Hill]
[?] [in the hole?]

[Verse 5: Peg Leg Howell]
Mister judge, mister judge, please don't break so hard
Mister judge, mister judge, please don't break so hard
I've always been a poor boy; never had no job

[Spoken: Jim Hill]
That's all I ever called you: poor boy!

[Verse 6: Peg Leg Howell]
The next day, they carried this poor boy away
The next day, they carried this poor boy away
Said the next day, I laid in ball and chain

[Spoken: Jim Hill]
[?]

[Verse 7: Peg Leg Howell]
They put stripes on my back, chain found 'round my leg
Stripes on my back, chain found 'round my leg
This ball and chain 'bout to kill me dead!