Long Chain - Robert Earl Keen

One night as I lay on my pillow

Moon shining bright as the dawn

I saw a man come-a-walkin'

He had a long chain on

I heard his chain a clankin'

It made a mournful sound

Welded around his body

Dragging along on the ground

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He came up to my window

He looked at me and he said

«I am so tired and hungry

Give me a bite of your bread»

He did not look like a robber

He didn’t look like a thief

His face was all covered in sadness

He had a voice full of sorrow and grief

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

I went into my kitchen

Got him a bowl full of meat

A drink and a pan of cold biscuits

That’s all I had for him to eat

And though he was tired and hungry

A bright light came over his face

He bowed his head on his bosom

He made a beautiful grace

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

(Long chain, long chain, long chain)

(He had a long chain on)

(Long chain, long chain, long chain)

(He had a long chain on)

I fetched my chisel and hammer

Offered to set him free

He shook his head and said sadly

Guess we had best let it be

When he had finished his supper

He thanked me again and again

And though it’s been years since I saw him

I still hear the rattle of his chain

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on

He had a long chain on