Work Song

Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

Breaking rocks and serving my time

Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

'Cause they done convicted me of crime

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Well, I reckon that ought to get it

Been working and working

But I still got so terribly far to go

I committed crime, Lord, I needed

Crime of being hungry and poor

I left the grocery store man breathing

When they caught me robbing his store

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Well, I reckon that ought to get it

Been working and working

But I still got so terribly far to go

I heard the judge say five years

On chain gang, you gonna go

I heard the judge say five years labor

I heard my old man scream, "Lordy, no!"

Hold it right there while I hit it

Well, I reckon that ought to get it

Been working and working

But I still got so terribly far to go

Gonna see my sweet honey baby

Gonna break this chain off to run

I'm gonna lay down somewhere shady

Lord, I sure am hot in the sun

Hold it right there while I hit it

Well, I reckon that ought to get it

Been working and working

Been working and slaving

And working and working

But I still got so terribly far to go