Lightnin' Hopkins - I Worked Down On The Chain Gang Lyrics

(Sam (Lightnin') Hopkins)

Yeah, you know I worked on the railroad, I even worked down on that chain gang
Yeah, you know I worked on the railroad, oh boy and I worked down on the chain gang

Yeah they put me in jail when it was raining, honey that was the best for me
Throwed me in the jail when it was raining, honey and that is the best for me
You know the jail kept me in from the wet, I didn't have no place to stay, don't you know

When I workin' on the chain gang, ball and chain all around my leg
I was workin' on the chain gang, ball and chain all around my leg
I said, "Please don't drive me too hard, I'm an old man", they say, "We don't pay no attention to the age"

He said, "Who sent you down here, boy, what did you break in this jail for?"
"Who sent you down here, boy, what did you break in this jail for?"
He say, "You look like a man would kill your mother (and I believe he did),
Oh boy what did you kill that old woman for?"
(A sad time, and I had to cry...)

I said, "Mmmmm mister jailer, will you please sir bring me the key"
I said, "Mmmmm mister jailer, will you please sir bring me the key"
I says, "I just want you to open the door, 'cause this ain't no place for me"