Well, it started 'bout a month ago when I was in the can For firin' off my .44 at another man Ain't been too good at bustin' rock or workin' chain gang Never could see me draggin' that ol' ball and chain (chorus) Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing I could never drag a ball and chain Well, you always kept sayin' how you think that I should stay And we could get started on our own family Come along tomorrow I'll be on the mornin' train Gonna boogie back to Texas couldn't drag your ball and chain (chorus) Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing I could never drag a ball and chain I used to wake up every mornin' and I'd do the rat race Suit and tie, nine to five wouldn't my place Didn't take too long for me to understand I could never be a blue collar workin' cla** man (chorus twice) Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing I could never drag a ball and chain Ball and chain, it's bringin' me down again Gotta keep runnin' gotta do my own thing I could never drag a ball and chain