About The Song
“Chain Gang” was released as a single on July 26, 1960, it became one of Sam Cooke’s most significant hits after departing Keen Records for RCA Victor. It reached number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B Sides chart. Became a top ten hit, peaking at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. This was Sam Cooke’s first top-ten single in the UK.
“Chain Gang” sheds light on the struggles of prisoners working on chain gangs, depicting their harsh reality through poignant lyrics and a soulful melody. The song portrays men toiling under the scorching sun, building roads, and feeling trapped and unhappy about their situation.
Lyrics
(Hoh! Ah!) I hear something saying (Hoh! Ah!)
(Hoh! Ah!)(Well don't you know)
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, ga-ang
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, gang
All day long they're singing (Hoh! Ah!)
(Well don't you know)
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, ga-ang
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, gang
All day long they work so hard till the sun is going down
Working on the highways and byways and wearing, wearing a frown
You hear they moaning their lives away
Then you hear somebody say
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, ga-ang
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, gang
Can't you hear them singing, mmm (Hoh! Ah!)
I'm going home one of these days
I'm going home, see my woman
Whom I love so dear
But meanwhile I gotta work right here
(Well don't you know)
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, ga-ang
That's the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, gang
All day long they're singing, mmm (Hoh! Ah!)
My work is so hard
Give me water
I'm thirsty, my work is so hard
Woah ooo
My work is so hard
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