Rather be in Richmond with all the hail and rain
Than to be in Georgia boys wearin' that ball and chain
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road

I went down to Mobile but I got on the gravel train
Very next thing they heard of me, had on that ball and chain
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road

Doney, oh dear Doney, what makes you treat me so?
Caused me to wear that ball and chain, now my ankle's sore
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road

Knoxville is a pretty place, Memphis is a beauty
Want to see them pretty girls, hop to Chattanoogie
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road

I'm going to build me a scaffold on some mountain high
So I can see my Doney girl as she goes riding by
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road

My wife died on Friday night, Saturday she was buried
Sunday was my courtin' day, Monday I got married
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road
Kill yourself!

Eighteen pounds of meat a week, whiskey here to sell
How can a young man stay at home, pretty girls look so well
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more
Won't get drunk no more way down the Old Plank Road