Well it's been ten years and a thousand tears
And look at the mess I'm in
A broken nose and a broken heart
An empty bottle of gin Well, I sit and I pray
In my '54 Chevrolet
Well, I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain Well, I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain Well, I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room
I spent all my money
I've been drinkin' with the drag queens all afternoon I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain