Well it's been ten years and a thousand tears
  And look at the mes I'm in-
  A broken nose and a broken heart,
  An empty bottle of gin
  Well I sit and I pray
  In my broken down Chevrolet-
  While I'm singin' to myself
  There's got to be another way
    [Chorus:]
  Take away, take away
  Take away this ball and chain
  I'm lonely and I'm tired
  And I can't take any more pain
  Take away, take away
  Never to return again
  Take away, take away
  Take away this ball and chain
    Well I've searched and I've searched
  To find the perfect life-
  A brand new car and a brand new suit
  I even got me a little wife-
  But wherever I have gone
  I was sure to find myself there-
  You can run all your life
  But not go anywhere
    [Chorus]
    Well I'll pass the bar on the way
  To my dingy hotel room-
  I spent all my money
  Been drinkin' since half past noon-
  I'll wake there in the mornin'
  Or maybe in the county jail-
  Times are hard getting harder
  I'm born to lose and destined to fail-
    [Chorus]