Way back yonder in Tennessee they leased the convicts out,
Set them to workin' in the mines against free labor stout
Labor rebelled against it--to win it took some time,
But when the lease was in effect we made 'em rise and shine.

CH)Buddy won't ya roll down the line, roll down the line,
Yonder comes my darlin' rollin down the line,
(repeat both lines)

Early monday mornin' they get you up on time,
Take you down to Lone Rock just to look into that mine,
Take you down to Lone Rock just to look into that hole,
Very first thing the captain says is Buddy, better get your pole.

The toast it is half done--the meat is not so well,
All else is so burnt up and the coffee's black as hell,
And when you get your task done and on the floor you fall,
Any little thing you get to eat will taste good done or raw.

(as I recall it from Pete Seeger's AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL BALLADS LP on Folkways many years ago...)

Art