Swing dat hammer, swing dat hammer
Swing it higher 'bove your head
Making little ones out of big ones
Hammer kill you almost dead
If I ever leave this chain gang
I'm coming home once more
Mama, mama do not scorn me
Do not turn me from your door
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Swing dat hammer till you dead
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Swing dat hammer till you dead
Yes, yes but I'm back in dear ol' Georgie
And I got to serve this time
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Swing dat hammer till you dead
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Swing dat hammer till you dead
Mama, mama, mama, mama
Ain't you 'shamed of your dear son
Ain't you sorry that you born me
When you see what I've done done
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Look a here ma what I've done done
Swing it high boys, swing it low boys
Swing dat hammer till you dead