Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Work Song
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And stay down …
Breakin' up these rocks on-a chain gang
Breakin' up these rocks on-a chain gang
‘cause I been convicted of a crime.
Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!
Oh, reckon that ought-a get it
Been workin' … I been workin'
But, I got me so terrible long to go.
I been convicted of the crime, Lord, of needin'
Crime of bein' hungry and poor
Had-a leave some grocery man bleedin'
When he found me robbin' his store.
Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!
Oh, reckon that ought-a get it
Been workin' … I been workin'
But, I got me so terrible long to go.
Heard a judge say, “Five years labor …
To the chain gang you got-a go.”
Heard a judge say, “Five years labor.”
Heard my woman scream, “Lordy, no!”
Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!
Oh, reckon that ought-a get it
Been workin' … I been workin'
But, I got me so terrible long to go.
Captain told me, “You got to watch your behavior …
If you're gonna work just like a natural born man.”
I told the captain, “You'd be meetin' your Savior …
You come on close to this hammer in my hand.”
Hold him steady right there while I hit him … huh!
Oh, reckon that ought-a get him
Been workin' … I been workin'
But, I got me so terrible long to go.
I wanna see my sweet, honey baby
I got to break these chains off and run
I wanna lay my head where it's shady
Lord knows it's hot in this sun.
Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!
Oh, reckon that ought-a get it
Been workin' … I been workin'
But, I got me so terrible long to go …
See I been workin' … I been workin' …
But, I got me so terrible long to go …
You know I got me so terrible long to go …
Lord … I got me so damn long to go!
The lyrics to Bobby Darin's Work Song paints a picture of a prisoner breaking rocks on a chain gang. The song is led by the repetitive chorus of “breakin’ up these rocks on-a chain gang,” emphasizing the grueling labor of the prisoners. The singer of the song is serving time because he was “convicted of a crime,” specifically the "crime of being hungry and poor" and robbing a store. The judge sentences him to five years of hard labor, and he must work “like a natural born man” to ensure that his behavior is up to par. He's described as having a "terrible long" time left to go, indicating a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The song also alludes to the singer's longing for love and freedom. He mentions wanting to see his "sweet, honey baby" and "lay [his] head where it's shady," indicating his desire for intimacy and rest, respectively. However, he knows that he needs to break free of his chains first. This adds an element of tragedy to the song, as the singer is trapped both physically and emotionally.
Overall, the lyrics to Work Song draw attention to the inhumanity of chain gangs and the hardship experienced by prisoners. The repetitive chorus serves as a call to action to end the practice of chain gangs and improve conditions for those who are incarcerated.
Line by Line Meaning
Go down ... Hannah go down
Begin the work on the chain gang
And stay down ...
Continue working hard with no respite
Breakin' up these rocks on-a chain gang
Destroying rocks as part of a punishment on a chain gang
Breakin' rocks and servin' my time
Having to do hard labor as punishment for committing a crime
‘cause I been convicted of a crime.
Being punished for breaking the law
Hold it steady right there while I hit it … huh!
Asking for assistance with their work
Oh, reckon that ought-a get it
Believing that they have been successful in their work
Been workin' … I been workin'
Having to put in a lot of effort and time to do their punishment
But, I got me so terrible long to go.
Knowing that their punishment will continue for a long time
I been convicted of the crime, Lord, of needin'
Being punished for being poor and hungry
Crime of bein' hungry and poor
Being punished just because they don't have the means to live a decent life
Had-a leave some grocery man bleedin'
Resorting to theft just to survive
When he found me robbin' his store.
Having been caught in the act of stealing from a store
Heard a judge say, “Five years labor ...
Being sentenced to a long period of hard labor as punishment
To the chain gang you got-a go.”
Being sent to work with others in a chain gang
Heard my woman scream, “Lordy, no!”
Realizing the effect their punishment is having on their loved ones
Captain told me, “You got to watch your behavior ...
Being reminded to work diligently and behave correctly
If you're gonna work just like a natural born man.”
Being expected to work as hard as any other man
I told the captain, “You'd be meetin' your Savior …
Being aggressive and biting in their response due to their frustration and resentment towards their punishment
You come on close to this hammer in my hand.”
Threatening the captain for his tone and warning them not to get close
I wanna see my sweet, honey baby
Missing and yearning to see their lover
I got to break these chains off and run
Trying to escape from their punishment
I wanna lay my head where it's shady
Dreaming of a better life with more comfort
Lord knows it's hot in this sun.
Describing the harsh physical conditions under which they must work
See I been workin' … I been workin' …
Continuing to emphasize the fact that they have been working hard
But, I got me so terrible long to go …
Realizing that their punishment will continue for a long time yet to come
You know I got me so terrible long to go …
Reiterating the length of their imprisonment and how tough it is for them
Lord … I got me so damn long to go!
Expressing their frustration and desperation about their situation
Lyrics © GOPAM ENTERPRISES INC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J J JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Goodwin
He was a friend of mine. He was as wonderful a person as he was as a singer, songwriter and performer. I've read interviews with other people who knew him and most of them say they still think about him often. The same is true with me. He was such an amazing man. When I was a teenager, I remember seeing Bobby perform this song many times at his shows in Las Vegas, often at the Flamingo. I loved this man, as anyone who got to know him would have too. He was kind, generous, thoughtful, deep - all of the great adjectives apply to Bobby Darin.
Zorina Bakah
Please say more of your memories with him, its a privilege to read them.
bmyra
Thank you for sharing that. Such a fascinating talented man.
Mikle Driftwood
Incredible phrasing, key changes and everything else. He sings like a man on the verge of exploding knowing full well that the man wants nothing more than an excuse to beat you down!
Green Flag Racing
he sings like a natural man
Jan Hammer
Thanks Alberta for visiting the channel.
Agata F
Another masterpiece of the magnificent Darin. I love him.
Tim Bergler
WOW! This has long been one of my all time favorite tunes. This is the first time I have heard this version. I always thought this tune was best done as an instrumental. I have heard several vocal versions down through the years, however this the first I have heard that is just plain AWESOME! Thanks Jan for the posting.
Lee Tilston
Sheer class...
The definition of SMOOTH.
Bobby Darin was so good
Jonathan Jackson
It doesn't matter what song it was Darin could sing anything. We lost him too soon, just fortunate enough to watch the magic in later years!