SHACKLES AND CHAINS
(Jimmie Davis)

Jimmie Davis - 1938 (re-recorded 1949 & 1974)
Mac Wiseman - 1957
Marty Robbins - 1958
The Stanley Brothers - 1959
The Greenbriar Boys - 1966
Stonewall Jackson - 1968
Jimmy Martin - 1969
Arlo Guthrie - 1972
Don Reno & Billy Harrell - 1975
Osborne Brothers & Mac Wiseman - 1979
Wilma Lee Cooper - 1979
Tom T. Hall & Earl Scruggs - 1982
Wildwood Valley Boys - 2002
Lee Highway - 2007

Also recorded by: 
Tompall Glaser; Wilf "Montana Slim" Carter; Riley Crabtree; 
Curtis Blackwell & The Dixie Bluegrass Boys; Merle Haggard;  
B.J. Johnson; Allan McHale; Charlie Moore; Johnny Paycheck; 
RFD Boys; The Stonemans; Tommy Tucker; The Village Singers; 
Don Paisley & The Southern Grass.



 
On a long lonesome journey I'm going
Throw your arms round my neck and don't cry
Though in shackles and chains they will take me
To a prison to stay till I die

And at night through the bars I will gaze at the stars
And long for your sweet kiss in vain
A piece of stone I will use for my pillow
While I'm sleepin' in shackles and chains

(Instrumental Break)

Put your arms through these bars once my darlin'
Let me kiss so sweet lips I love best
In heartaches you're my consolation
And in sorrow my haven of rest

And at night through the bars I will gaze at the stars
The plans that we've made were in vain
A piece of stone I will use for my pillow
While I'm sleepin' in shackles and chains



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - October 2010)