On Monday I was arrested
 On Tuesday they locked me in the jail
 On Wednesday my trial was attested
 On Thursday they said guilty and the judge's gavel fell
 I got stripes, stripes around my shoulders
 I got chains, chains around my feet
 I got stripes, stripes around my shoulders
 And them chains, them chains, they're 'bout to drag me down

 On a Monday I got my striped britches
 On a Tuesday got my ball and chain
 On a Wednesday I'm working digging ditches
 On a Thursday Lord I begged 'em not to knock me down again

 On Monday my momma came to see me
 On Tuesday they caught me with a file
 On Wednesday I'm down in solitary
 On Thursday Lord I starved on bread and water for a while

 I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
 I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
 I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
 And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me down

 I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
 I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
 I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
 And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me Down