He was black and handsome and mighty, mighty brave
Comin' from the backwoods, the grandson of a slave
He was caught for something they knew he'd never done
And he was diggin' ditches out in the burnin' sun
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
No more, no more, no more
Man he was a giant and iron he could bend
And he swore he'd fight them down to the bitter end
Though he was no talker his burnin' eyes would say
You may keep on tryin' can't hold me no way
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
No more, no more, no more
And one night he lay in waiting
Hit the guard and took the key
And before the others caught him
He jumped out and he was free
He jumped out and he was free
He made for the swamp lands it seemed a hopeless duel
They had dogs and shotguns and they were mighty cruel
But they couldn't find him, he was too smart and strong
Hiding' in the daytime, wandering all night long
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more
Working on the chain gang, no more