on this old rock pile with a ball and chain they call me by a number not a name lord lord gotta do my time gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind when that old judge looked down and smiled said i ll put you in that good road for a while lord lord gotta do my time gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind you can hear my hammer you can hear my song i m gonna swing it like john henry all day long lord lord gotta do my time gotta do my time with an aching heart and a worried mind it won t be long just a few more days i ll settle down and quit my rowdy ways lord lord with that gal of mine with that gal of mine she ll be waitin for me when i ve done my time