Work Song - Billy Butterfield, Oscar Brown Jr., Osie Johnson

Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang

Breaking rocks and serving my time

Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

'Cause I been convicted of crime

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

There, I reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terrible long to go

I committed the crime, Lord of needin'

Crime of bein' hungry and poor

I left the grocery store man bleeding

When they caught me robbin' his store

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

There, I reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terribly long to go

And judge he say, «five years hard labor

On the chain-gang you gwine t’go»

I heard the judge say, «five years labor»

I heard my woman scream, «Lordy, no!»

Oh, hold it steady right there while I hit it

There, I reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terrible long to go

Wanna see my sweet honey baby

Wanna break this chain off and run

Wanna lay down somewhere shady

Lord, it sure is hot in the sun

Hold it right there while I hit it

There, I reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terrible long to go

Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang

Breaking rocks and serving my time