Roll Down the Line - Pete Seeger

Way back yonder in Tennessee

They leased the convicts out

Set them workin' in the mine

Against free labor stout

Free labor rebelled against it To win it took some time

But when the lease was in effect

It made 'em rise an' shine

Buddy won’t you roll down the line

Buddy won’t you roll down the line

Yonder come my darlin'

Comin' down the line

Buddy won’t you roll down the line

Buddy won’t you roll down the line

Yonder come my darlin'

Comin' down the line

Early Monday mornin'

They get 'em up on time

Send you down the lone rock

Jus' to look into that mine

Send you down the lone rock

Jus' to look into that hole

Very next thing the captain says

«You better get your coal»

Chorus

The beans they are half done

The bread is not so well

The meat it is all burned up And the coffee’s black as heck

But when you get your task done

An' on the floor you fall

Anything you get to eat

Will taste good done all wrong

Chorus

The bank boss he’s a hard man

A man you all know well

An' if you don’t get your tasks done

He’s gonna give you hallelujah

When you get your tasks done

An' on the floor you fall

Very next thing the captain says

«You better get your coal»

Chorus x2