On a Monday, I was arrested. (Uh-huh)

On a Tuesday, they locked me in the jail. (Poor boy)

On a Wednesday, my trial was attested.

On a 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, got my striped britches. (Uh-huh)

On a Tuesday, got my ball and chain. (Poor boy)

On a Wednesday, I'm workin' diggin' ditches.

On a Thursday, Lord, I begged them not to knock me down again.

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, my mama come to see me. (Uh-huh)

On a Tuesday, they caught me with a file. (Poor boy)

On a Wednesday, I'm down in solitary.

On a Thursday, Lord, I start 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 'bout to drag me down.