Classic Poem

I stayed in jail and
worked for thirty long days
I stayed in jail and
worked for thirty long days
And that woman said she loved me I
could not see her face

I looked out the window
saw the long chain man
I looked out the window
saw the long chain man
Oh he's coming to call us,
boys, name by name

He's gonna take me from here to
Nashville Tennessee
He's gonna take me from here to
Nashville Tennessee
He's gonna take me right back, boys
where I used to be

I got a letter from home
reckon how it read
I got a letter from home
reckon how it read
It read Son come home to your mama, she's
sick and nearly dead

I sat down and cried
and I screamed and squalled
I sat down and cried
and I screamed and squalled
Said, I cannot come home, mama,
I'm behind these walls

Every morning 'bout four
or it might be half past
Every morning 'bout four
or it might be half past
You oughta see me down the foundry
trying to do my task

Oh the judge he sentenced me
boys, from five to ten
'Cause the judge he sentenced me
boys, from five to ten
I get out I'm going to that woman, I'll
be right back again