On a long lonesome journey I'm going, Oh darling, and please don't you cry, Though in shackles and chains they will take me, In prison to stay till I die.
And at night through the bars, I gaze at the stars, And I long for your kisses in vain. A piece of stone I will use for my pillow While I'm sleeping in shackles and chains.
Put your arms through these bars once, my darlin'. Let me kiss those sweet lips that I love best. In heartache, you're my consolation; In sorrow, my haven of rest.
And at night through the bars, I will gaze at the stars, The plans that we made were in vain. A piece of stone I will use as my pillow While I'm sleeping in shackles and chains.
[Recorded by Wilf Carter, Wilma Lee Cooper, Jimmie Davis, Merle Haggard, The Osborne Brothers, Marty Robbins, The Stanley Brothers, Mac Wiseman, and many others.]