He was black and handsome  And might might brave  Comin' from the backwoods  The grandson of a slave  He was caught for something  They knew he'd never done  And was diggin' ditches  Out in the burnin' sun  Walkin' on a chain gang-No More  Walking on a chain gang-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'  You can't hold me no way  Walkin' on a chain gang-No More  Walking on a chain gang-No More  Then 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  He wandered all night long  Walkin' on a chain gang-No More  Walking on a chain gang-No More