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 gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind
[ banjo ]
When that old judge looked down and smiled
Said I`ll put you in that good road for a while Lord Lord
Gotta do my time gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind
You can hear my hammer you can hear my song
I`m gonna swing it like John Henry all day long Lord Lord
Gotta do my time gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind
[ banjo ]
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`ll be waitin` for me when I`ve done my time