Cold iron shackles, ball and chain
You 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 back 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, rock all night
The law come to get you if you don't walk right
Got a letter this morning, baby, all it read
Get on back to Tennessee Jed

I dropped four flights and cracked my spine
Buddy, come quick with the Iodine
Catch a few winks, baby, under the bed
Head on back to Tennessee Jed

Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby, won't you carry me
Back to Tennessee

Well, I run into Charlie Fog
He blacked my eye and he kicked my dog
My doggie turned to me as he said
Let's head back to Tennessee Jed

And I woke up a feeling mean
Went on down to play the slot machine
The wheels turned round, and the letters read
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