Blackjack County Chain

The Del Mccoury Band

Key of D · Chords: I V VI ii

Intro

Em A Em
D B
Em D A B
Em A
Em B Em

Verse 1

Em                    A                  Em
I was standin’ by the road in Black Jack County.
                     D              B
Not knowing that the Sheriff paid a bounty,
    Em              D             A              B
For men like me who didn’t have a penny to their name.
   Em                A
He locked my legs in 35 pounds
   Em         B      Em
Of Black Jack County chain.

Verse 2

Em            A                 Em
All we had to eat was bread and water,
                   D                B
Everyday we had to build his road a mile and a quarter,
  Em                     D
A black snake whip would sting our backs
   A              B
If some poor fool complained,
       Em                          A
But we couldn’t fight back wearing 35 pounds
   Em         B      Em
Of Black Jack County chain.

Instrumental

Em A Em
D B
Em D A B
Em A
Em B Em

Verse 3

Em                       A             Em
Then one night while the Sheriff lay a sleepin’,
                D                 B
We all gathered round him, slowly creepin’,
       Em         D                 A                B
Heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain,
        Em                     A
When we beat him to death with 35 pounds
   Em         B      Em
Of Black Jack County chain.

Verse 4

Em                  A               Em
The wounds have all healed and I am thankful,
                             D               B
And there’s nothing left but scars around my ankle.
    Em             D             A          B
But best of all no man will ever be a slave again,
     Em                   A
To a black snake whip and 35 pounds
   Em         B      Em
Of Black Jack County chain.

Outro

    Em             D             A          B
But best of all no man will ever be a slave again,
     Em                   A
To a black snake whip and 35 pounds
   Em         B      Em
Of Black Jack County chain.