Blackjack County Chain
Willie Nelson
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I was sittin' beside the road in blackjack county Not knowing that the sheriff paid a bounty For men like me who didn't have a penny to their names So he locked my leg to thirty five pounds of blackjack county chain And sll we had to eat was bread and water And each day we had to build that road a mile and a quarter And black snake whip would cut our backs when some poor fool complained But we couldn't fight back wearin' thirty five pounds of blackjack county chain And then one night while the sheriff was a sleepin' We all gathered round him slowly creepin' And heaven help me to forget that night in the cold cold rain When we beat him death with thirty five pounds of blackjack county chain Now the whip marks have all healed and I am thankful That there's nothing but a scar round my ankle But most of all I'm glad no man will be a slave again To a black snake whip and thirty five pounds of blackjack county chain Blackjack County chain, blackjack county chain, blackjack county chain
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
9 facts about this song
Songwriter"Blackjack County Chain" was not written by Willie Nelson himself, but by the legendary musician and songwriter Red Lane. Nelson performed and recorded the song, adding his unique style to it.
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ReleaseThe song was released in 1967. It was one of the earlier songs in Willie Nelson’s career, marking his transition into popularity as a solo artist after years as a songwriter for other musicians.
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ContentThe song's lyrics center on a story of a revolting slave who ultimately kills his cruel master with a black jack county chain. It was a daring theme for its time, considering the civil rights movements in the US were at peak during the late 1960s.
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ControversyDue to the strong and explicit thematic content about slavery, "Blackjack County Chain" was banned from many radio stations. Despite the banning, the song still managed to peak at number 21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles.
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CoverThe song has been covered by various artists since its release. Some notable covers include versions by Del McCoury Band and Max Stalling. Each artist’s rendition adds a unique interpretation to the song based on their individual styles.
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Significance"Blackjack County Chain" marks one of Willie Nelson’s early breaks from traditional country music themes. It laid a foundation for his later work, which often comments on social issues and political matters.
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AlbumThe song is part of Willie Nelson's album "Texas in My Soul," which comprises of songs that mirror his journey from his birthplace, Texas, and narrate stories related to it.
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StyleThe music style is primarily country and outlaw country. This style became Willie Nelson’s signature, differing from the polished, clean-cut sound that was prevalent in country music at the time.
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InfluenceBoth the song and Willie Nelson himself have been cited as influences for many current artists in the country and Americana genres, showcasing the impact of Nelson's early work on these music landscapes.
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Citation
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"Blackjack County Chain Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/13918752/Willie+Nelson/Blackjack+County+Chain>.
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