Work Song

Well, I’m breakin' rocks on the chain gang
Breakin' rocks & servin' my time
Breakin' rocks all day on the chain gang
'Cause I’ve been convicted of crime
Hold it steady, right there, while I hit it
Well, I reckon that oughta get it
Been workin', been workin'
Still got a long way to go
I commit the crime of being hungry
Crime of being needy & poor
Left the grocery store man a-bleedin'
When he caught me robbin' his store
Hold it steady, right there, while I hit it
Well, I reckon that oughta get it
Been workin', been workin'
Still got a long way to go
I want to go & see my sweet baby
Want to take these chains off & run
I want to go somewhere cool & shady
Lord, it sure gets hot in the sun
Hold it steady, right there, while I hit it
Well, I reckon that oughta get it
Been workin', I’ve been workin'
Still got a long way to go
Somebody help me
I commit the crime of being hungry
Crime of being needy & poor
I left that grocery store man a-bleedin'
When he caught me robbin' his store
Hold it steady, right there, while I hit it
Well, I reckon that oughta get it
Been workin', I’ve been workin'
But I still got a long way to go
I heard the judge say, «Five years of labor.»
«To the chain gang you have to go.»
I heard the judge say, «Five years of labor.»
I heard my woman scream, «Lord, no!»
Hold it steady, right there, while I hit it
Well, I reckon one more time oughta get it
Been workin', I’ve been workin'
But I still got a long way to go
Been workin', I’ve been workin'
But I still got a long way to go
Well, I’m breakin' rocks on the chain gang