[Foreman] Daybreak bell and the road wants feeding. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] No time for talking, no time for pleading. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] Eyes to the earth when the white cars pass, Cut through the root and break through the grass. [Gang,] Dig that ditch, make it wide, Leave your name and pride inside. [Foreman] This ain’t your road, but your back will make it. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] This ain’t your bread, but your hands will bake it. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] Your sweat buys stone for another man’s town, So lift that shovel and keep your head down. [Gang] Dig that ditch, make it straight, Law got a chain and the chain got weight. [Foreman] Sheriff says labour will settle your debt. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] Judge says mercy ain’t reached you yet. [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] Born on the wrong side, caught in the wrong skin, The court shuts the door and the road takes you in. [Gang,] Dig that ditch, make it deep, Rich men ride and poor men weep. [Foreman, spoken] You belong to the line till the county says no. You belong to the dust and the sun’s red glow. You build what you’ll never be welcome to own. Now pick up the iron. [One prisoner, quietly] A man ain’t a stone. [Foreman] Who told you speak? [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] Who told you think? [Gang] Dig for the county. [Foreman] The road stays clean while your water runs black, And every step forward puts ten on your back. [Gang, growing louder] Dig that ditch, make it wide, Bury the truth on either side. [Foreman] Dig for the— [Gang, interrupting] We know who owns it. [Foreman] Dig for the— [Gang] We know who stole it. [Foreman] Dig for the county! [Gang,] The county owns the chain today, But every chain rusts away. Dig that ditch and mark the ground— One day they’ll hear what they buried down.
