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 aching heart, and a worried mind.
When that old judge, looked down and smiled,
Said I'll put you up that river for a while, Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time,
With an aching heart, and a worried mind.
You can hear my hammer, you can hear my song,
Gonna swing it like John Henry all day long Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time,
With an aching 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.