(Johnny)
On a Monday I was arrested
On a Tuesday they locked me in the jail (oh yeah)
On a Wednesday my trial was attested
On a Thursday they said guilty and the judges gavel fell.

(Both)
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chain they're about to drag us down.

(George)
On a Monday I got my striped britches
And on a Tuesday I got my ball and chain
And on a Wednesday I'm a workin' kid in ditches
And on Thursay I begged 'em not to knock me down again.

(Both)
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chain they're about to drag us down.

(Johnny)
On a Monday my moma come to see me
On a Tuesday they caught me with a file
(George)
On a Wednesday I'm down in solitary
And on Thursday John, I sobbed around bread and water for awhile

(Both)
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chain they're about to drag us down...