Well it's been ten years and a thousand tears
And look at the mes I'm in-
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin
Well I sit and I pray
In my 54' Chevrolet-
Well, I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way

[Chorus:]
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/mike+ness/ball+and+chain+honky+tonk_20923954.html ]
Well I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life-
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife-
But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there-
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere

[Chorus]

Well I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room-
I spent all my money
I've been drinkin' with the drag queens all afternoon-
I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail-
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail-

[Chorus]