Work Song - Oscar Brown Jr.

Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang

Breaking rocks and serving my time

Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

'Cause they convicted me of crime

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Well reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terribly long to go

I committed crime

Lord I needed

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

Well reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terribly long to go

And judges say five years hard labor

On chain-gang you gonna go

I heard the judge say five years labor

I heard my old man scream

Lordy no

Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Well reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terribly long to go

I wanna see my sweet honey baby

I wanna break this chain off to run

I wanna lay down somewhere shady

Lord I sure it's hot in the sun

Hold it right there while I hit it

Well reckon that ought to get it

Been workin' and workin'

But I still got so terribly long to go

Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang

Breaking rocks and serving my time