I got rid of the shackles that bound me
And the guards who were always around me
Like a bird in the tree, have found my liberty
And I'm free from the chain gang now
Long ago I was known and respected
Then one day I was forcedly suspected
And they put me in chains working out in the rain
But I'm free from that chain gang now
I know my mother's poor heart was broken
'Cause she knew that an untruth was spoken
There were tears on the mail that she sent me in jail
But I'm free from the chain gang now
All the years I was known by a number
Were just years that I spent without slumber
After long years of shame I have won back my name
And I'm free from the chain gang now
Now I'm goin' back home to another
She my sweetheart who's waiting with mother
And I'll dry all the tears that's been shedding for years
'Cause I'm free form the chain gang now