He was born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by jazz, blues, and gospel music. In the 1930s, as a teenager, he was a member of "The Jubilee Boys" and performed in Chicago churches.
He worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1943, he was hired by the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He toured with Hampton for several years but never achieved breakthrough success.
He rose to national prominence as the singer for Count Basie's Orchestra in 1954. He remained with Basie for several years. "Everyday I have the Blues" is his biggest hit.
After leaving the Basie band, Williams continued to have a successful career working with his own jazz combo. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the band.
Bill Cosby cast Williams as his father-in-law "Grandpa Al" Hanks in a recurring role on the 1980s sit-com The Cosby Show.
Williams enjoyed a successful career and worked regularly until his death. He died at age 80, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joe Williams shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra who was also born Dec. 12, three years before Williams
Work Song
Joe Williams Lyrics
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Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Because they done convicted me of crime
[Chorus]
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Well, reckon that ought to get it
But I still got so terribly far to go
I committed crime, Lord, I needed
Crime of being hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man bleeding
When they caught me robbing his store
[Chorus]
I heard the judge say five years
On chain-gang you gonna go
I heard the judge say five years labor
I heard my old man scream "Lordy, no!"
[Chorus]
Gonna see my sweet honey bee
Gonna break this chain off to run
Gonna lay down somewhere shady
Lord, I sure am hot in the sun
Hold it right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been workin' and workin'
Been workin' and slavin'
And workin' and workin'
But I still got so terribly far to go
The song "Work Song" by Joe Williams and Carmen McRae tells the story of a man who is serving time on a chain gang for a crime he committed out of necessity. He was hungry and poor, so he resorted to robbing a grocery store, leaving the shop owner injured in the process. As a result, he was convicted and sent to the chain gang to break rocks as his punishment.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the grueling nature of the work, with the man singing "been working and working, but I still got so terribly far to go." He also looks forward to seeing his "sweet honey bee," dreaming of escaping from the chain gang and running away with her. The song highlights the unjust system of punishment that disproportionately penalizes those in poverty, who are often left with few options to survive.
Overall, "Work Song" is a powerful commentary on the social structures that create cycles of poverty and inequality. The song draws attention to the ways in which economic hardship can lead to criminal behavior, and the way that justice systems often fail to take this context into account.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
I am forced to break rocks on a chain gang as punishment for my crime
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking rocks is part of my punishment while I serve my time
Because they done convicted me of crime
I am breaking rocks because I was found guilty of a crime
[Chorus]
Refrain/chorus of the song
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Keep the rock steady while I hit it with my hammer
Well, reckon that ought to get it
I think I hit the rock hard enough that it broke
Been working and working
I have been working hard for a long time
But I still got so terribly far to go
I still have a lot of work left to do
I committed crime, Lord, I needed
I committed a crime because I was desperate
Crime of being hungry and poor
My crime was stealing because I was hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man bleeding
I hurt the store owner when I robbed him
When they caught me robbing his store
I was caught while I was in the act of robbing the store
[Chorus]
Refrain/chorus of the song
I heard the judge say five years
The judge sentenced me to five years in prison
On chain-gang you gonna go
I was also sentenced to work on a chain gang
I heard the judge say five years labor
The judge sentenced me to five years of hard labor
I heard my old man scream 'Lordy, no!'
My father was upset when he heard my sentence
[Chorus]
Refrain/chorus of the song
Gonna see my sweet honey bee
I am looking forward to seeing my loved one
Gonna break this chain off to run
I plan to escape from the chain gang
Gonna lay down somewhere shady
When I escape, I want to rest in a cool and shady place
Lord, I sure am hot in the sun
Breaking rocks outside in the sun is very uncomfortable
Been workin' and workin'
I have been working hard for a long time
Been workin' and slavin'
My work feels like slavery because I have no choice
But I still got so terribly far to go
I still have a lot of work left to do
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNSON, LUDVIGSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind