I did all I could baby, satisfy your mind Well I wake up every morning you got me moaning and crying Trying to send me to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd let that reckless woman alone Now I'm gonna have to give you my number, 4-11-44 I'll be there forever, I ain't got no wheres else to go 'Cause I've got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd let that reckless woman alone He was a mean old judge, wouldn't give me no fine Only thing going to relieve me is old Father Time I got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I would have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone When I was down in the alley mama drinking that old mean booze and gin Say you better do your running around 'cause you ain't never going to do it again 'Cause it leads me straight to the chain gang, down to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone Goodbye everybody here comes the jailer with a key Farewell to freedom I don't want no one to pity me I'm going to the chain gang, down to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone So now bye-bye all you womens this is the last I've got to say Say I'm going on and make my time I'll be a free man some day But I ain't going back to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape baby, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone