Breakin' up these rocks on-a chain gang

Breakin' rocks and servin' my time

Breakin' up these rocks on-a chain gang

‘cause I been convicted of a crime.

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Oh, reckon that ought-a get it

Been workin' … I been workin'

But, I still got a long way to go



I been convicted of the crime, Lord, of needin'

Crime of bein' hungry and poor

Had-a leave some grocery man bleedin'

When he found me robbin' his store.

Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!

Oh, reckon that ought-a get it

Been workin' … I been workin'

But, I still got a long way to go

I wanna go see my baby

I got to break these chains off and run

I wanna lay my head where it's shady

Lord it sure gets hot in this sun.

Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!

Oh, reckon that ought-a get it

Been workin' … I been workin'

But, I still got a long way to go



Heard a judge say, “Five years labor …

To the chain gang you got-a go.”

Heard a judge say, “Five years labor.”

Heard my woman scream, “Lord, no!”

Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!

Oh, reckon that ought-a get it

Been workin' … I been workin'

But, I got me so terrible long to go.