On July the second, 1953
I was servin' time for armed robbery
At four o'clock in the mornin', I was sleepin' in my cell
I heard the whistle blow then I heard somebody yell

(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
Up in cellblock number nine

The trouble started down in cellblock number four
And spread like fire across the prison floor
I said: Okay boys, get ready to run
Here come the warden with a tommy gun

(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
Up in cellblock number nine

The warden said: Come out with your hands up in the air
If you don't stop this riot, you're all gonna get the chair
Scarface Jones said: It's too late to quit
Pass the dynamite 'cause the fuse is lit

(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
Up in cellblock number nine

In the forty-seventh hour, the tear gas got our men
We are all back in our cells, but every now and then

(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
(There's a riot goin' on)
Up in cellblock number nine