Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
I hear some thing say ing...
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Ha.
Well, don’t you (G)know, that’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (G)chain
(Em)gang.
That’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (D6)chain
gang.
All day long, they’re sing ing...
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Huh.
Ha.
Well, don’t you (G)know, that’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (G)chain
(Em)gang.
That’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (D6)chain
gang.
All day long, they (Em)work so hard ’til the (C)sun is go ing (D)down.
Work ing on the (Em)high ways and by ways and wear ing, wear ing (D)a frown.
You hear them moan ing their (Em)lives a way, then you hear (D)some bod y say.
That’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (G)chain
(Em)gang.
That’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (D6)chain
gang.
Can’t you hear them sing ing, “Hmm,
I’m go ing home one of (C)these days, I’m go ing home.
See my (G)wom an, whom I love so dear, but mean while, I’ve got to (D)work right here.” Well, don’t you (G)know, that’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (G)chain
(Em)gang.
That’s the sound of the (C)men work ing on the (D6)chain
gang.
All day long they’re sing ing...
Hmm, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my (D)work is so hard.
Give me (G)wa ter, I’m thirs ty, my,
my (D)work is so hard.
Hmm, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my (D)work is so hard.
Give me (G)wa ter, I’m thirs ty, my,
my (D)work is so hard.
This page shows “Chain Gang” by Sam Cooke in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of G at 132 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.