One night as I lay on my pillow Moonlight as bright as the dawn I saw a man come a-walkin' He had a long chain on I heard his chains a-clankin' They made a mournful sound Welded around his body Draggin' along the ground He had a long chain on He had a long chain on He had a long chain on He stood beside my window  He looked at me and he said "I am so tired and hungry  Give me a bite of your bread" He didn't look like a robber He didn't look like a thief His voice was as soft as the moonlight A face full of sorrow and grief He had a long chain on He had a long chain on He had a long chain on I went into my kitchen Fetched him a bowl full of meat A drink and a pan of cold biscuits That's what I gave him to eat Though he was tired and hungry A bright light came over his face He bowed his head in the moonlight He said a beautiful grace He had a long chain on He had a long chain on He had a long chain on I got my hammer and chisel Offered to set him free He looked at me and said softly "I guess we had best let it be" When he had finished his supper He thanked me again and again Though it's been years since I've seen him Still hear him draggin' his chain He had a long chain on He had a long chain on He had a long chain on