Music You Can Read®

"Worried Man Blues"
       
     
"Worried Man Blues"
 


"Worried Man Blues," Lyrics, Text Format



Melodic and rhythmic variations to match changing verse syllables.

Click to hear melody.
 


Description
 
  • Grade: Fourth

  • Origin: USA - Traditional Folk Song

  • Key: F Major

  • Time: 4/4

  • Form: ABAC

  • Rhythm: intermediate: | ta/ ti ta ta | syncopation,
    | ta/a/a ta | ta/a/a ti ti | ta/a/a/a | - rhythm changes with each verse

  • Pitches: beginners: So La Ti Do Re Mi

  • Intervals: beginners: La/Do (m3), Do\La (m3)

  • Musical Elements: notes: whole, dotted half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth; pickup beat, syncopation, tied notes, melodic and rhythmic variations to match verse syllables

  • Key Words: USA - history, prisoner's song, worry, worried man, across, river, laid, sleep, twenty-one links, chain, around, judge, fine, asked, Rocky Mountain Line, Rocky Mountain Railroad, should, ask, anyone, composed, song, blues, shackles, woke up, chain link, chain, initials, day; contractions: won't (will not), what's (what is)

 
 


"Worried Man Blues"

       
    Refrain  
 
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song.
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song.
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song.
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long.
 
  1. I went across the river and I laid down to sleep.
I went across the river and I laid down to sleep.
I went across the river and I laid down to sleep.
When I woke up, there were shackles on my feet.
 
    Refrain  
 
2.
Twenty one links of chain around my leg.
Twenty one links of chain around my leg.
Twenty one links of chain around my leg.
And on each link, the initials of my name.
 
    Refrain  
  3. I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine.
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine.
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine.
Twenty-one years on the Rocky Mountain Line.
 
    Refrain  
  4. If anyone should ask you who composed this song.
If anyone should ask you who composed this song.
If anyone should ask you who composed this song.
Say it was me and I sing it all day long.
 
    Refrain  
       


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Additional Formats


music

"Worried Man Blues," Music Format
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beats

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rhythm

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pitch numbers

Click to Enlarge: "Worried Man Blues," Pitch Number Format
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solfeggio

Click to Enlarge: "Worried Man Blues," Solfeggio Format
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letter names

Click to Enlarge: "" Letter Names Format
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