[Verse 1]
Cold iron shackles and ball and chain
Listen to the whistle of the evening train
Know you bound to wind up dead
If you don't head back to Tennessee, Jed

[Verse 2]
Rich man step on my poor head
When you get back you better butter my bread
Well, you know, children, it's like I said
You better head back to Tennessee, Jed

[Chorus]
Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby, won't you carry me
Back to Tennessee

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Drink all day, gonna rock all night
The law come to get you if you don't walk right
Catch a few winks, baby, under the bed
Then you head back
[Verse 4]
Dropped four flights and cracked my spine
Honey, come quick with the iodine
A letter this morning, and all, all it read:
You better head back to Tennessee, Jed

[Chorus]
Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby, won't you carry me
Back to Tennessee

[Verse 5]
I run into Charlie Phogg
He blacked my eye, you know he kicked my dog
My dog, he turned to me and he said:
Let's head back to Tennessee, Jed

[Verse 6]
I woke up feeling mean
I went down to play the slot machine
Wheels turned around, children, the letters read:
You better head back to Tennessee, Jed

[Chorus]
Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby, won't you carry me
Back to Tennessee
[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
Tennessee, Tennessee
There ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby, won't you carry me
Back to Tennessee