[Spoken intro]
On the chain gangs of the 1930s, the greatest symbol of home for the convicts was the name 'Rosie'...

[Verse 1]
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
Oh Lord, my midnight dreams
Oh Lord, my midnight dreams

[Chorus]
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!

[Verse 2]
You told a promise when you first met me
(Rooosie, Rosie, Rosie – oh yeah)
You told a promise when you first met me
(Rooosie, Rosie, Rosie – oh yeah)
You told a promise when you first met me
(Rooosie, oh well you)
Wasn' gonna marry 'til I – I go free
'Til I go free, good Lordy!
'Til I go free, oh well you
Wasn' gonna marry 'til I – I go free
[Chorus]
Oh! Rosie! (Hey-ya-hey-ya!)
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!

[Verse 3]
I said to Rosie let your hair grow long
(Rooosie, Rooosie)
I said to Rosie let your hair grow long
(Let your hair grow long)
I said to Rosie let your hair grow long
(Rooosie, oh well I)
I be your barber when I – I come home
When I come home, good Lordy!
When I come, oh well I
Be your barber when I – I come home

[Chorus]
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!

[Verse 4]
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
I seen li'l Rosie in my midnight dreams
(In my midnight dreams)
Oh Lord, my midnight dreams
Oh Lord, my midnight dreams
[Chorus]
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gal!
Oh! Rosie! Hey-ya-hey-ya!
Oh! Rosie! Hold on gaa-al!