Early morning
  As the day is dawning
  You're street gutter crawling
  When the sun comes up
  
  Baby crying
  Says today she's dying
  But she's always lying
  And that's a ball 'n chain
  
  You got the ball 'n chain
  You're in the ball 'n chain gang
  Coz you're the ball 'n chain man
  
  Bruises for breakfast
  Ain't nobody's business
  But pain's a lonely mistress
  And you can't give up
  (that's a ball 'n chain)
  
  Flame burning
  Money that you're earning
  And you will be returning
  With a ball 'n chain
  
  You got the ball 'n chain
  You're in the ball 'n chain gang
  Coz you're the ball 'n chain man
  
  Why do you love me
  When you don't need me
  Why do you want me all of the time?
  In my whole life, didn't get no peacetime
  And I don't care if I live or die
  
  (That's a ball 'n chain)
  
  You got the ball 'n chain
  
  You got the ball 'n chain
  You're the one to blame
  You got to love that pain