I used to shake my feet in a midnight prance
I used to shake my feet in a midnight prance
Now they got me doin' a different kind of dance
I couldn't keep away from wild women, bad liquor, cards and dice
I couldn't keep away from bad women, bad whiskey, cards and dice
Now I'm doin' the lock step and things ain't goin' so nice
Don't matter to me whether it's sunshine, snow or rain
It don't matter to me if it's sunshine, snow or rain
Because I can't go gay-cattin' and carryin' a ball and chain
Mean old jailer, taken away my dancin' shoes
I said, mean old jailer taken away my dancin' shoes
I can't strut my stuff when I got the lockstep blues
Big rats in my cell keep me woke all night
I said big rats in my cell keep me woke all night
My woman turned me down and I don't think that's right
Every mornin', I waltz down that big long hall
I said every mornin', I waltz down that big long hall
I'm cravin' for my mama, I ain't makin' no time at all
Lock step blues, people!
Oh, oh