I’d swear to God was gold.

My gal she cried las’ night,

She cried the whole night long;

She cried because judge sentence me,

’Cause I had to go so long.

My gal she cried all night,

I told her not to worry at all.

I’m goin’ on the chain gang,

I ’spec’ I’ll be back in the fall.

[38] The first four stanzas of this song, except for some slight variations, are also found in Chain Gang Blues, a popular phonograph piece.