Am
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Am
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Am
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
E7
Because they done convicted me of crime.
Am
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it
   Am         D7
Been Working and working
   B7       E7             Am
But I still got so terribly far to go

[Verse 2]

Am
I committed crime Lord I needed
Am
Crime of being hungry and poor
Am
I left the grocery store man bleeding 
E7
When they caught me robbing his store.
Am
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it
     Am          D7
Been Working and working
      B7             E7        Am      
But I still got so terribly far to go.

[Verse 3]

Am
I heard the judge say five years
Am
On chain-gang you gonna go
Am
I heard the judge say five years labor
E7
I heard my old man scream "Lordy, no!"
Am
Hold it right there while I hit it
Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it
     Am          D7
Been Working and working
      B7             E7         Am      
But I still got so terribly far to go.

[Verse 4]

Am
Gonna see my sweet honey bee
Am
Gonna break this chain off to run
Am
Gonna lay down somewhere shady
E7
Lord I sure am hot in the sun
Am
Hold it right there while I hit it
Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it
      Am        D7
Been Workin' and workin'
       Am         D7
Been Workin' and slavin'
       Am         D7
An' Workin' and workin'
        E7                    Am       E7
But I still got so terribly far to go