Work Song

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.