Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
'Cause I been convicted of crime
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
There, I reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
But I still got so terrible long to go

I committed the crime, Lord of needin'
Crime of bein' hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man bleeding
When they caught me robbin' his store
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
There, I reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
But I still got so terribly long to go

And judge he say, "five years hard labor
On the chain-gang you gwine t'go"
I heard the judge say, "five years labor"
I heard my woman scream, "Lordy, no!"
Oh, hold it steady right there while I hit it
There, I reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
But I still got so terrible long to go
Wanna see my sweet honey baby
Wanna break this chain off and run
Wanna lay down somewhere shady
Lord, it sure is hot in the sun
Hold it right there while I hit it
There, I reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
But I still got so terrible long to go
Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang
Breaking rocks and serving my time