Judge said guilty, away I went
99 years in the San Quentin pen
Put me to work on this road gang
Gave me a hammer and a ball 'n' chain
Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away
Can't stand these chains not one more day
Every night get on my knees and pray
Lordy please come and take me away

I remember back one moonshine night
Killed a man in a drunken fight
I'll see you swing, boy, the sheriff swore
As he turned the key in the cell block door
Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away
Can't stand these chains not one more day
Every night get on my knees and pray
Lordy please come and take me away

I'll never touch another drop of whiskey
I'll never cheat at cards again, I swear
Won't tell no lies, I'll say my prayers on Sunday
If my poor soul you would spare

Oh come and set me free
You know this ain't no life fore me
Oh come and set me free
Set me free

If I could shake these ole' leg irons
I'ld be runnin' from the dogs and the police sirens
With a little luck I just might make it
Give me half a chance and you know I'll take it

I'll never touch another drop of whiskey
I'll never cheat at cards again, I swear
Won't tell no lies, I'll say my prayers on Sunday
If my poor soul you would spare

On come and set me free
You know this ain't no life fore me
Oh come and set me free
Set me free

I was spare the rope got life hard time
Forgive me Lord for my crime
My spirit and back's been broken
Wish I'd swung from that tall oak

Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away
Can't stand these chains not one more day
Every night get on my knees and pray
Lordy please come and take me away

Take me away won't ya take me
Take me away won't ya take me
Take me away won't ya take me
Take me away come and take me away

Singin' Lordy, won't ya take me away
Can't stand these chains not one more day
Every night get on my knees and pray
Lordy please come and take me away