Chain gang, gang
I was just a kid a roamin' through a little ol' town When a walked up and said, "Come with me broke and son, that's vagrancy"
Just a lad who loved to roam And how I that I had stayed at home For the way I pleaded I would rather hang It's no life of living on a chain
I dig that ditch, I that corn Curse the day I was born I it's better for a man to hang Than like a dog on a chain gang Chain gang, gang
Well, the guard there with a great big gun I bet love to see me run And I guess, I probably will day I'd rather be dead than to this way
He looks well fed and six foot tall And the meanest of us all For he cracks that whip and he swings cane I reckon the sun must've touched his
I dig that ditch, I that corn And the day that I was born I believe it's better for a man to Than work like a dog on a chain Chain gang, chain
I got a gal back who's true and kind And she's been a waitin' a long time I rolled and her forget my name For never lose this chain gang chain
The Heaven to me from this hole a man can lose his mind and soul The place gets weak and the back broke no cause to laugh and joke
I dig that ditch, chop that Curse the day I was born I believe it's better for a man to work like a dog on a chain gang
Work like a dog on a gang Work like a dog on a gang Work a dog on a chain gang Work like a dog on a gang Work a dog on a chain gang