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.