| Breaking up big rocks on the chain gang
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| Breaking rocks and serving my time
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| Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
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| 'Cause I been convicted of crime
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| Hold it steady right there while I hit it
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| There, I reckon that ought to get it
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| Been workin' and workin'
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| But I still got so terrible long to go
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| I committed the crime, Lord of needin'
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| Crime of bein' hungry and poor
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| I left the grocery store man bleeding
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| When they caught me robbin' his store
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| Hold it steady right there while I hit it
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| There, I reckon that ought to get it
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| Been workin' and workin'
|
| But I still got so terribly long to go
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| And judge he say, «five years hard labor
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| On the chain-gang you gwine t’go»
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| I heard the judge say, «five years labor»
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| I heard my woman scream, «Lordy, no!»
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| Oh, hold it steady right there while I hit it
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| There, I reckon that ought to get it
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| Been workin' and workin'
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| But I still got so terrible long to go
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| Wanna see my sweet honey baby
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| Wanna break this chain off and run
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| Wanna lay down somewhere shady
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| Lord, it sure is hot in the sun
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| 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 |