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