Lyr Add: Doin' My Time

Subject: Doin' My Time
From: GUEST,Mitch
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 11:21 AM

I'm looking for the chords to a song I know as Doin' My Time. The words I have are as follows. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Mitch

On this old rock pile with this ball of chain they call me by a number not a name

when that old judge looked down and smile said i'll put you on the good road for awhile

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: Jeep man
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 03:14 PM

Mitch, that old song was done by Flatt and Scruggs on Mercury recordings. The chords are fairly simple. I sing it in A, but suit yourself.

I have all the words, if you need them I will send you to the web page that has it. Jim Ford

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 06:52 PM

Jim, thanks for the response. Send the web address and I'll check it out. I have the song on CD but I'm new enough at this that I just can't figure the chords out for this one.

Thanks again for your help...Mitch

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: Jeep man
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 07:04 PM

Mitch, I believe the web address is http//bluegrassnet.com this should get you to the main page and its easy from there. Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: GUEST,Mitch
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 07:19 PM

Jim, the site had the words but no chords. What chords do you use when you play it? Thanks...Mitch

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: Mark Clark
Date: 19 Mar 00 - 06:23 PM

The reason the chords seem hard to hear is that they almost never change. The tune is so stylistic that it's difficult to do without a practiced arrangement because no one in an informal jam knows exactly when the lead singer will decide to change chords.

Roughly (in the key of A) it's like this:

(A)On this old rock pile,
With a ball and chain,
They call me by a number, not a name,
Lord, (A7)Lord,
(D)Gotta do my time,
Gotta do my (A)time,
With an achin' (E)heart,
And a worried (A)mind.

I can't remember what key Lester used for the tune but you can figure that out by listening.

- Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Doin' My Time
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 12:35 PM

Mark, thanks for the info....Mitch

Subject: Lyr Add: DOIN' MY TIME (from Johnny Cash)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 01:23 PM

Johnny Cash sang it a little differently from Flatt & Scruggs:


DOIN' MY TIME
Words and music by Jimmie Skinner
As recorded by Johnny Cash on "Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar" (1957)

On this ol' rock pile – with a ball an' chain,
They call me by a number, not a name, Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, wantin' that gal o' mine.

You can hear my hammer – you can hear my saw.
Gonna sing it like John Henry all day long, Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – I gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, wantin' that gal o' mine.

When that ol' judge looked down on me,
Said: "I'll put you in that penitentiary," Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – I gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, wantin' that gal o' mine.

Well, now it won't be long – just a few more days
They'll let me out o' here – I'm gonna stay, Lord, Lord,
With that gal o' mine – with that gal o' mine
She's waited for me – while I've done my time

[Also recorded by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, 1950.]

Subject: Lyr Add: DOIN' MY TIME (from Flatt & Scruggs)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 01:46 PM

I have boldfaced the words that Flatt & Scruggs sing differently than Johnny Cash:


DOIN' MY TIME
Words and music by Jimmie Skinner
As recorded by Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and the Foggy Mountain Boys (Mercury 6333, 1950)

On this ol' rock pile – with a ball an' chain,
They call me by a number, not a name, Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, and a worried mind.

When that ol' judge looked down an' smiled,
Said: "I'll put you on that good road for a while," Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, and a worried mind.

You can hear my hammer – you can hear my song.
Gonna swing it like John Henry all day long, Lord, Lord.
Gotta do my time – gotta do my time,
With an achin' heart, and a worried mind.

It won't be long – just a few more days,
I'll settle down an' quit my rowdy ways, Lord, Lord,
With that gal o' mine – with that gal o' mine.
She'll be waitin' for me – when I've done my time.

[Also recorded by Johnny Cash, 1957. See above.]

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords ADD: Doin' My Time
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 08:57 PM

It was also splendidly covered by the original line-up of Seldom Scene:

Click

--Stewie.