Chain Gang
Echoes of Hard Labor: The Resonance of Struggle in 'Chain Gang'
Lyrics
Ho ha ho ha
Expression of sound, possibly representing a rhythmic or chant-like element.
I hear someon sayin'
Introduction to the theme of hearing someone.
Ho ha ho ha
Repetition of expressive sounds.
Ho ha ho ha
-Well don't you know
Transition to a statement about awareness.
That's the sound of the men
Introduction to the idea of men working on a chain gang.
Workin' on the chain gang
Repetition of the sound associated with the men working on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men
-Workin' on the chain gang
-All day long they're saying
Statement about the continuous nature of their work.
Ho ha ho ha
Repetition of expressive sounds.
Ho ha ho ha
-Well don't you know
Restatement of the sound and the ongoing work on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men
Repetition of the sound associated with the men working on the chain gang.
Workin' on the chain gang
-That's the sound of the men
-Workin' on the chain gang
-All day long they work so hard
Description of the men working diligently all day.
'till the sun is going down, down
Reference to the time when the sun is setting.
Workin' on the highways and byways and wearing
Description of the type of work being done and the expression of weariness.
Wearing a frown
-You hear them moaning
Reference to the audible signs of their struggle (moaning).
Their lives away
Description of the difficulty in their lives.
Then you hear somebody say
Introduction of someone acknowledging their hardship.
That's the sound of the men
Repetition of the sound associated with the men working on the chain gang.
Workin' on the chain gang
-That's the sound of the men
-Workin' on the chain gang
-They're saying
Expression of the men's thoughts or desires.
I'm going home one of these days
Statement about the longing to go home.
I'm going home
Reiteration of the desire to go home.
See my woman whom I love so dear
Expression of missing a loved one.
Mean while
Meanwhile, acknowledgment of the necessity to continue working.
I have to work right here
Statement about the current obligation to work.
Well don't you know
Repetition of the sound associated with the men working on the chain gang.
That's the sound of the men
-Workin' on the chain gang
-That's the sound of the men
-Workin' on the chain gang
-All they long they're saying
Reiteration of the men expressing the difficulty of their work.
My, my, my work is so hard
Expression of the hardship and intensity of the work.
Give me water
Request for relief, possibly water, due to the strenuous work.
I'm thirsty
Continuation of the expression of the difficulty of the work.
My work is so hard
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