On this old rockpile, with a ball and chain
They call me by a number, not a name Lord-Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, I want that gal of mine

You can hear my hammer, you can hear my song
Gonna sing it like John Henry all day long Lord-Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, I want that gal of mine

Wen that old judge looked down at me
He said, I put you in that penitentiary Lord-Lord
Gotta do my time, I gotta do my time
With an aching heart, I want that gal of mine

Well, now it won't be long, just a few more days
They'll let me out a-here, I'm gonna stay Lord-Lord
With that gal of mine, with that gal of mine
She's waiting for me, while I've done my time