Lyrics

I did all I could, baby, satisfy your mind, when I wake up every mornin', you got me moanin' and cryin' Tryin' to send me to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I let that reckless woman alone Now I'll have to give you my number, 4-11-44, I'll be there forever, I ain't got nowheres else to go Well, I've got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-left that reckless woman alone Even the mean old judge, wouldn't give me no fine, only thing gonna relieve me is old Father Time I got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home I would've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-left that reckless woman alone When I was down in the alley, mama, drinkin' that old mean booze and gin, say, "You gotta do your runnin' around, I told you, ain't never gonna do it again." 'Cause it leads me straight to the chain gang, down to the murderer's home I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-let that reckless woman alone Goodbye, everybody, here come the jailer with the key, fare thee well to freedom, I don't want no one to pity me I'm goin' to the chain gang, down to the murderer's home I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd've left that reckless woman alone So now bye-bye, all you women, this is the last I got to say, says I'm goin' on and make my time, I'll be a free man someday But I ain't goin' back to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home But I would've been in a better shape, baby, if I'd a-let that reckless woman alone