At the crack of dawn
I heard the rooster crow
Packed my bags and split
Hopped the see

Driftin' through the South
Spent a lot a week in that town
Just searchin` for a friend

If you could see me know with this ball and chain
You'd run me out of town again
You'd never believe a word I say
They're pickin` at my bones
Like the birds of prey

Call her out one night
On a pickup truck
Lay my head in every village every town
Straight drunk

One day the dog went lame
And the dog won't move no more

If you could see me know with this ball and chain
You'd run me out of town again
You'd never believe a word I say
They're pickin` at my bones
Like the birds of prey

Every mile I roam
Every card I play
Every bottle of whiskey I drink
Cuts my life another day

I see it in the dice
I see it in the cards