Other arrangements of Chain Gang
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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.
Chain Gang — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners
1 person has learned this song
Learn "Chain Gang" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of G, 132 BPM.
Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.
Try other practice modes:
About “Chain Gang”
- Can I play "Chain Gang" without reading sheet music?
- Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "Chain Gang" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
- What key is "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke played in?
- Chain Gang is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "Chain Gang"?
- The arrangement plays at 132 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "Chain Gang" easy to play on piano?
- This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
- Can I download sheet music for "Chain Gang"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "Chain Gang"?
- "Chain Gang" was originally performed by Sam Cooke. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "Chain Gang"?
- This arrangement uses 5 chords: C, D, D6, Em, G.
- What other songs by Sam Cooke can I play here?
- Try "A CHANGE IS GONNA COME", "YOU SEND ME", "I'LL COME RUNNING BACK TO YOU". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Can a complete beginner play "Chain Gang"?
- Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Chain Gang" is simplified for beginners.
- Do I need to read music to play "Chain Gang"?
- No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Chain Gang" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.
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