Nina Simone - Chain Gang (Work Song) lyrics

Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang Breaking rocks and serving my time Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang Because they done convicted me of crime Hold it steady right there while I hit it Well reckon that ought to get it Been Working and working But I still got so terribly far to go I commited crime Lord I needed Crime of being hungry and poor I left the grocery store man bleeding (breathing?) When they caught me robbing his store Hold it steady right there while I hit it Well reckon that ought to get it Been Working and working But I still got so terribly far to go I heard the judge say five years On chain-gang you gonna go I heard the judge say five years labor I heard my old man scream "Lordy, no!" Hold it right there while I hit it Well reckon that ought to get it Been Working and working But I still got so terribly far to go Gonna see my sweet honey bee Gonna break this chain off to run Gonna lay down somewhere shady Lord I sure am hot in the sun Hold it right there while I hit it Well reckon that ought to get it Been Workin' and workin' Been Workin' and slavin' An' Workin' and workin' But I still got so terribly far to go