stripes around my shoulder.
I got chains, chains around my feet.
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder.
And them chains, them chains
they're about to drag me down.
On a Monday, I was arrested, uh -huh
they locked me in this cell, poor boy
my trial was attested, uh -huh
On a Thursday, they said guilty
and the judges gaveled bell
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chains,
they're about to drag me down
Oh boy, on a Wednesday, I'm a -workin',
On a Thursday, Lord, I begged Him
not to knock me down again
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chains,
they're about to drag me down
my mama come to see me, uh -huh
they caught me with a file, oh boy
I'm down in solitary, uh -huh
guess I'll start on bread and water for a while
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
I got chains, chains around my feet
I got stripes, stripes around my shoulder
And them chains, them chains,
they're about to drag me down
And them chains, them chains,
they're about to drag me down.