I got rid of the shackles that bound me And the guards who were always around me Like a bird in the tree, have found my liberty And I'm free from the chain gang now
Long ago I was known and respected Then one day I was forcedly suspected And they put me in chains working out in the rain But I'm free from that chain gang now
I know my mother's poor heart was broken 'Cause she knew that an untruth was spoken There were tears on the mail that she sent me in jail But I'm free from the chain gang now
All the years I was known by a number Were just years that I spent without slumber After long years of shame I have won back my name And I'm free from the chain gang now
Now I'm goin' back home to another She my sweetheart who's waiting with mother And I'll dry all the tears that's been shedding for years 'Cause I'm free form the chain gang now