Lyrics
(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
Introduction of vocalizations, possibly expressing hardship or labor.
I hear somethin' sayin'
-(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
Reiteration of vocalizations, setting a tone for the song.
(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
-(Well, don't you know)
Initiating the description of the sound heard.
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Identifying the sound as the men working on a chain gang.
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
-All day long they're singin'
Continuous singing, possibly reflecting the repetitive nature of the work.
(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
-(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
-(Well, don't you know)
Reiteration of the identification of the sound as the men working on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
-That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
-All day long they work so hard
Describing the hard work on highways and byways, accompanied by a somber mood.
Till the sun is goin' down
-Working on the highways and byways
-And wearing, wearing a frown
-You hear them moanin' their lives away
Expressing the workers' discontent and distress in their lives.
Then you hear somebody sa-ay
-That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Reaffirming the sound as the men working on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
-Can't ya hear them singin'
Introducing a snippet of conversation or thoughts among the workers.
Mm, I'm goin' home one of these days
Expressing the desire to go home, emphasizing love for a woman, but acknowledging the need to continue working.
I'm goin' home see my woman
-Whom I love so dear
-But meanwhile I got to work right he-ere
-(Well, don't you know)
Reiteration of the sound and its association with the men working on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
-That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
-All day long they're singin', mm
Highlighting the continuous singing throughout the day.
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard
Expressing the difficulty and thirst of the work, emphasizing the challenging nature of the labor.
Give me water, I'm thirsty
-My, my work is so hard
Reiteration of the hardship of the work, emphasizing its challenging nature.
Oh my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard
-
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