Chain Gang Blues
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
Just a poor gal in trouble, I know I'm county road bound
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
And a ball and chain everywhere I go
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hands
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hands
It's all on account of stealin' a woman's man
It was early this mornin' that I had my trial
It was early this mornin' that I had my trial
Ninety days on the county road, and the judge didn't even smile
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This teaching module discusses race, the carceral state, and the criminalization of Blackness, featuring a webinar with legal historian Taja-Nia Henderson. |
- Title
- Chain Gang Blues
- Description
- Chain Gang Blues was a song recorded by blues singer Ma Rainey in 1925 that reflects the experience of Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. In the song, the protagonist has been sent on the chain gang for reasons that she thinks are unjust.
- Author
- 1925
- Spatial Coverage
- United States
- Title
- Chain Gang Blues
- Description
- Chain Gang Blues was a song recorded by blues singer Ma Rainey in 1925 that reflects the experience of Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. In the song, the protagonist has been sent on the chain gang for reasons that she thinks are unjust.
- Author
- 1925
- Spatial Coverage
- United States