Lyrics:

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