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