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 — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along
10 people have learned this song
Free karaoke for "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. 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”
- 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.
- Is there a karaoke version of "Chain Gang" with lyrics?
- Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
- Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
- It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
- Can I change the key of "Chain Gang" to match my voice or capo?
- Yes. The original is in G, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
- Can I slow "Chain Gang" down to learn the words and chords?
- Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.