I am a working man
Doing the best I can,
I toe the line each day.

To those who set the pace
I'm just another face,
But someday soon I'll lose this...

...Ball and chain.

Everyday's a life of pain.
Ooh, ball and chain.
Feel like I'm dragging round this ball and chain.
Ooooh.

I'm only flesh and bone
Still they want blood from the stone
And they cry more more more.

Someday they'll know my name
If I can stand the strain
And I won't have to haul this...

...Ball and chain.

Everyday's a life of pain.
Ooh, ball and chain.
Feel like I'm dragging 'round the ball and chain.
Ooooh.

Someday I'm gonna break out
And I'll be free,
And living in paradise.
I won't have to crawl,
I'll walk with my head held high.
Ooooh.

(Yeaaaah)

Well day after day
And week after week
They wear you down
'Till you're dead on your feet
And what do you get?
What do you got?
You got nothin'. Hmm!

So you stay where you are
For security sake
You got a family to feed
And pennies to make
It's a damn...

Oooooh,
Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ooh, ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging round this ball and chain.
Ooooh.

Ball and chain.
Like getting me down in my brain.
Ooh, ball and chain.
Feel like I'm dragging 'round this ball and chain.
Ooooh.

Ball and chain...
Ball and chain...
Ball and chain...
Ball and chain...
(fading w wersji krótkiej)