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
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more