Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang
'Cause I've been convicted of crime

Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Oh I reckon that ought to get it
Working and working
But I've still got some time left hard

I commited crime lord I needed
Crime of being hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man bleeding (breathing? )
When they caught me robbing his store

Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been working and working
But I've still got some time left hard

I heard the judge say five years labor
On chain-gang you gonna go
I heard the judge say five years labor
I heard my old woman scream lordy, no!

Hold it right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been working and working
But I've still got some time left hard

Wanna see my sweet honey baby
Wanna break off this chain and run
Gonna lay down somewhere shady
Lord I sure am hot in the sun

Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been workin and workin
But I've still got some time left hard

Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang

