[Verse 1]
Well I've been hangin' out of town, Lord, in that low down rain
Watchin' good time Charlie Francis drivin' me insane
Up on shady Charlotte Street, Lord, the green lights look red
I wish I's back home on the farm, Lord, in my feather bed

[Chorus]
And I got myself a rockin' chair
To see if I could lose
These thin dime, hard time
Hell on Church Street blues

[Verse 2]
I found myself a picker friend who's read yesterday's news
I folded up page twenty-one and stuck it in my shoes
I gave me a nickel to the poor, my good turn for the day
I folded up my own billfold, threw it far away

[Chorus]
And I got myself a rockin' chair
To see if I could lose
These thin dime, hard time
Hell on Church Street blues

[Verse 3]
Well, I wish I had some guitar strings, Old Black Diamond brand
I'd string up this old Martin box and go and join some band
But I guess I'm gonna stay right here, just pick and sing a while
Try to make me a little change and give them folks a smile
[Chorus]
And I got myself a rockin' chair
To see if I could lose
These thin dime, hard time
Hell on Church Street blues

And I got myself a rockin' chair
To see if I could lose
These thin dime, hard time
Hell on Church Street blues