Carter Sisters Worried Man Blues

It takes a worried man to sing worried song
It takes a worried man to sing worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep
I went across the river, and I lay down to sleep
When I woke up, had shackles on my feet

Twenty nine links of chain around my leg
Twenty nine links of chain around my leg
And on each link, the initial of my name

It takes a worried man to sing worried song
It takes a worried man to sing worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

I asked that judge, tell me, what might be my fine
I asked that judge, tell me, what might be my fine
Twenty one years on the R C Mountain line

The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
The train arrived, sixteen coaches long
The girl I love is on that train and gone

It takes a worried man to sing worried song
It takes a worried man to sing worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

If anyone asks you who composed this song
If anyone asks you who composed this song
Tell 'em t'was I, and I sing it all day long

It takes a worried man to sing worried song
It takes a worried man to sing worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

 

This song represents the hardboiled nature of the 1930's. It is folk because it is of the essense of the everyday people and not a manefactured version of what every feels they should aspire for. The Ritz is who we want to be and The Worried Man is who we are. In admitting this dichotomy and succombing to the reality of the situation of the 1930's, this song exemplfies all that. 

 

 

Carter Sisters Worried Man Blues