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