Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Because they done convicted me of crimeHold it steady right there while I hit it
Well, reckon that ought to get it
Been working and working
But I still got so terribly far to goI committed crime Lord I needed
Crime of being hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man breathing
When they caught me robbing his storeHold it steady right there while I hit it
Well, reckon that ought to get it
Been working and working
But I still got so terribly far to goI heard the judge say five years
On chain-gang you gonna go
I heard the judge say five years labor
I heard my old man scream Lordy, no!Hold it right there while I hit it
Well, reckon that ought to get it
Been working and working
But I still got so terribly far to goGonna see my sweet honey bee
Gonna break this chain off to run
I'm gonna lay down somewhere shady
Lord, I sure am hot in the sunHold it right there while I hit it
Well, reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
Been workin' and slavin'
An' workin' and workin'
But I still got so terribly far to go