On this rock pile
With the 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
On that gal of mine
You can hear my hammer
You can hear my saw
Gonna sing it like John Henry
All day long, Lord, Lord
Gotta do my time
I gotta do my time
With an aching heart
On that gal of mine
When that old judge
Looked down at me
Said I put you in that
Penetentiary, Lord, Lord
Gotta do my time
I gotta do my time
With an aching heart
On that gal of mine
Well now it won't be long
Just a few more days
They'll let me out of here
I'm gonna stay, Lord, Lord
With that gal of mine
With that gal of mine
She's waited for me
While I've done my time