6x D A G D 

4x D A G D 
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 broken down Chevrolet- 
While I'm singin' to myself 
 There's got to be another way 

3x D A G D 
Take a way, 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 
1x D A G (let G ring) 
Take away, take away 
 (music pauses) 
 Take away this ball and chain 

2x D A G D 

4x D A G D 
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 

3x D A G D 
Take a way, take away, 
 Take away this ball and chain 
I'm sick and I'm tired 
 And I can't take any more pain 
Take away, take away 
 Never to return again 
1x D A G (let G ring) 
Take away, take away 
 (music pauses) 
 Take away this ball and chain 

2x D A G D 

(solo) 
4x D A G D 

4x D A G D 
Well I'll pass the bar on the way 
 To my dingy hotel room- 
I spent all my money 
 Been drinkin' since half past noon- 
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- 

3x D A G D 
Take a way, 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 
1x D A G (let G ring) 
Take away, take away 
 (music pauses) 
 Take away this ball and chain 

2x D A G D 

(outro) 
4x D A G D