Chain Gang
The Resonance of Hard Labor: "Chain Gang" Song Interpretation
Lyrics
I hear somethin' sayin'
I perceive a certain sound or sensation
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Describing the audible effect of men laboring on a chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
Reiteration of the sound of men working on a chain gang
All day long they're singin'
Throughout the day, they engage in singing
(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
Expressive vocal sounds mimicking labor or hardship
(Hooh aah) (hooh aah)
Repetition of vocal sounds reflecting labor or hardship
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Repeated description of the sound of men working on a chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
Reiteration of the sound of men working on a chain gang
All day long they work so hard
They persistently work hard throughout the day
Till the sun is goin' down
Until the sunset occurs
Working on the highways and byways
Engaged in labor on various roads and pathways
And wearing, wearing a frown
While doing so, they wear a troubled or sad expression
You hear them moanin' their lives away
Their dissatisfaction is audible through moaning
Then you hear somebody sa-ay
A mention of someone acknowledging the situation
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Reiteration of the sound of men working on a chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
Describing the sound of men working on a chain gang
Can't ya hear them singin'
Asking if one can perceive their singing
Mm, I'm goin' home one of these days
An expression of the desire to return home eventually
I'm goin' home see my woman
To reunite with a beloved woman
Whom I love so dear
Expressing love and affection for the woman
But meanwhile I got to work right he-ere
However, for now, they must continue working here
That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang
Reiteration of the sound of men working on a chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
Describing the sound of men working on a chain gang
All day long they're singin', mm
Consistent singing persists throughout the day
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard
Expressing the extreme difficulty of the work
Give me water, I'm thirsty
A plea for water due to thirst from the strenuous work
My, my work is so hard
Reiterating the extreme difficulty of the work
Oh my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard
Further emphasizing the strenuous nature of the work
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