The warden chose a work party from those in jail,
Looked for big, strong guys who were hearty and hale.
He said their joints would get a workout while working,
"I need men who can give a hammer a good swing,
Breakin' rocks, everbody'll break rocks.
You won't spend the day in the cellblock--
You'll leave the jailhouse to break rocks.

"So I need men who have got a strong backbone,
Can't use no backsliders who will bitch and moan.
You're gonna bring those hammers down, a crash, boom, bang.
Let's face it, boys, you will be on the chain gang,
Breakin' rocks, everbody'll break rocks.
You won't spend the day in the cellblock--
You'll leave the jailhouse to break rocks.

"You'll go from 4:00 to 7:00, work near constantly.
The labor is hard, but I think you'll agree:
It's not bad as working for a company
That gives you no breaks to boost productivity,
Breakin' rocks, everbody'll break rocks.
You won't spend the day in the cellblock--
You'll leave the jailhouse to break rocks.

"Give a whack and you will be splitting that stone
Tonight you'll be sleeping--fatigued to the bone
But guarding then your butty--I've got to be fair--
Will be difficult--you might find wood in there.
Getting rocks off in your body, rocks
Every body in the hole "tell" block
Will get the word out: you like frocks,

"Shifts. And ven'ry with buggers might be your fate--
It's kind of forceful; nobody asks for a date.
Bugg'ry can be nifty, if you've got picks, picks
To complement the hammers when rocks take their licks.
Breakin' rocks, everbody'll break rocks.
You'll spend at night in the cellblock--
After all day a-breakin' rocks."