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