Breaking rocks out here 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 Well I reckon that ought to get it I’ve been working, working But I still got so terribly far to go I committed crime Lord of needing Crime of being hungry and poor I left the grocery store man breathing When he caught me robbing his store I heard the judge say “Five years labour On the chain-gang you’re gonna go” I heard the judge say “Five years labour” I heard my old man scream “Lordy, no!” Gonna see my sweet honey baby Gonna break this chain off the rock Gonna lay down somewhere shady Lord it sure is hot in the sun