On this old rock pile with a ball and chain They call me by a number, not a name Lord, Lord Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time With an achin' heart and a worried mind
When that old judge looked down and smiled Said I put you up that river for a while Lord, Lord Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time With an achin' heart and a worried mind
You can hear my hammer, you can hear my saw Gonna swing it like John Henry all day long Lord, Lord Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time With an achin' heart and a worried mind
Well now it won't be long just a few more days I'll settle down and quit my rowdy ways Lord, Lord With that gal of mine, with that gal of mine She's waited for me while I've done my time