I got rid of the shackles that bound me and the guards that were always around me
There were tears on the mail mother sent me in jail
But I´m free from the chain gang now

Back home I was known and respected then one day I was wrongly suspected
So they put me in chains in a cold freezing rain but I´m free from the chain gang now
All the years I was known by a number how I kept my mind is a wonder
But like a bird in a tree I got my liberty and I´m free from the chain gang now
I got rid of the shackles that bound me and the guards that were always around me
There were tears on the mail mother sent me in jail
But I´m free from the chain gang now
There were tears on the mail mother wrote me in jail
But I´m free from the chain gang now