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