This sounds as if it may be based on a true incident, but I have been unable to confirm it.


BALL AND CHAIN BLUES a.k.a. NO MORE BALL AND CHAIN
As sung by Josh White

Twenty souls have gone home to meet their God.
Twenty souls have gone home, home to meet their God.
From that fiery van, they've gone home to meet their God.

They were trapped behind a locked door, a locked door of a motor cage.
Trapped behind a locked door, a locked door of a motor cage.
They burnt to a frazzle, well, Lord, while that hellfire raged.

It was mighty cold outside; the north wind, north wind moaned and cried.
Mighty cold outside; north wind, he moaned and cried,
While inside twenty poor boys, Lord, in agony died.

Now no more ball and chain to carry on their weary feet.
They'll be singing hallelujah sittin' by God's mercy seat.
No more ball and chain to cause a powerful lot o' pain.
No ball and chain, no more worries again,
Singin' hallelujah, sittin' by my God's mercy seat.

Twenty souls have gone home to meet their God. (2x)
From that fiery van, they've gone home to meet their God.

Now no more ball and chain to carry on their weary feet.
They'll be singin' hallelujah sittin' by God's mercy seat.
No ball and chain to cause a powerful lot o' pain.
No ball and chain, no more worries again.
They'll be singin' hallelujah, sittin' by my God's mercy seat.