^AI was just a kid ^Droaming around ^ETraveling thru a ^Alittle old town ^AA man walked up and said ^Dcome with me ^AYour ^Ebroken son that's ^Avagrancy ^AA care-free lad t^Dhat loved to roam but ^ELord I wish I'd-a^A stayed at home ^AThe way it looks I'll pro^Dbably hang ^ACause^E there ain't no ho^Ape on a chain gang

I ^Ddig that ditch I ^Achop that corn I ^Ecurse the day that ^AI was born ^AI believe it's better for a ^Dman to hang ^DThan to ^Ework like a dog on a ^Achain gang

^AThe guard stands ^Dthere with a great big gun ^EI bet he'd love t^Ao see me run ^AAnd I guess I probably wi^Dll someday ^AI'd r^Eather be dead than^A to live this way ^AHe's well-fed and^D he's six-foot tall ^EAnd he's the mean^Aest of them all ^AHe cracks that whip and h^De swings that cane ^AThat ^Esun must've touche^Ad his brain

I ^Ddig that ditch I ^Achop that corn I ^Ecurse the day that ^AI was born ^AI believe it's better for a ^Dman to hang ^DThan to ^Ework like a dog on a ^Achain gang

^AI got a gal back ^Dhome that's sweet and kind ^EBut she's been wa^Aiting a long long time ^AI just told her to forget^D my name ^AI won^E't ever live down ^Athe shame ^ALord deliver me f^Drom his hole ^EBefore I lose my ^Amind and soul ^AThe flesh gets weak and t^Dhe back gets broke ^AThere^E ain't no cause to^A laugh and joke

I ^Ddig that ditch I ^Achop that corn I ^Ecurse the day that ^AI was born ^AI believe it's better for a ^Dman to hang ^DThan to ^Ework like a dog on a ^Achain gang ^EWork like a dog on a ^Achain gang ^EWork like a dog on a ^Achain gang