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Chain Gang

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Chain Gang chords
Gooh! Emaah! 4x
I hear something saying
Gooh! Emaah! 4x
I hear something saying
Gooh! Emaah! 8x
(Well, don't you know?)
GThat's the sound of the Cmen working on the Gchain EmgangG  
That's the sound of the Cmen working on the Dchain Ggang
All day long they're singing 
Gooh! Emaah! 4x
(Well, don't you know?)
GThat's the sound of the Cmen working on the Gchain EmgangG  
That's the sound of the Cmen working on the Dchain Ggang
GAll day long they Emwork so hard, 
C'till the sun is going Ddown
GWorking on the Emhighway and byways, 
and Cwearing, wearing a Dfrown
GYou hear them moaning their Emlives away,
Cthen you hear someDbody say
GThat's the sound of the Cmen working on the Gchain EmgangG  
That's the sound of the Cmen working on the Dchain Ggang
Can't you hear them saying?
Gooh! Emaah! 4x
(Well, don't you know?)
GThat's the sound of the Cmen working on the Gchain EmgangG  
That's the sound of the Cmen working on the Dchain Ggang
Can't you hear them saying?
GMm, I'm going Emhome one of these Cdays,
DI'm going home see my Gwoman,
whom I Emlove so dear
But, Cmeanwhile I got to Gwork right Dhere
(Well, don't you know?)
GThat's the sound of the Cmen working on the Gchain EmgangG  
That's the sound of the Cmen working on the Dchain Ggang
All day long they're singing
Ghmm, Emmy, my, my, Cmy, my, my, my Dwork is so hard
Give me Gwater, I'm Emthirsty
CMy, my Dwork is so hard
Ghmm, Emmy, my, my, Cmy, my, my, my Dwork is so hard
Give me Gwater, I'm Emthirsty
CMy, my Dwork is so hard
Ghmm, Emmy, my, my, Cmy, my, my, my Dwork is so hard
Give me Gwater, I'm Emthirsty
CMy, my Dwork is so hard
Set8

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Chain Gang" was inspired by Sam Cooke's own experience seeing a group of prisoners working on a highway while he was on tour. This chance encounter led to a song that captures the spirit and struggle of those bound together, toiling under difficult circumstances. It's a powerful reflection on shared hardship and resilience. Playing this song can evoke a sense of empathy and a connection to those who endure.

AI-written from these sources:Chain Gang (Sam Cooke song) — Wikipedia ↗Sam Cooke — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Chain Gang

by Sam Cooke

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Chain Gang chords

G Em

ooh! aah! 4x

I hear something saying

G Em

ooh! aah! 4x

I hear something saying

G Em

ooh! aah! 8x

(Well, don't you know?)

G C G Em G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

C D G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

All day long they're singing

G Em

ooh! aah! 4x

(Well, don't you know?)

G C G Em G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

C D G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

G Em

All day long they work so hard,

C D

'till the sun is going down

G Em

Working on the highway and byways,

C D

and wearing, wearing a frown

G Em

You hear them moaning their lives away,

C D

then you hear somebody say

G C G Em G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

C D G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

Can't you hear them saying?

G Em

ooh! aah! 4x

(Well, don't you know?)

G C G Em G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

C D G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

Can't you hear them saying?

G Em C

Mm, I'm going home one of these days,

D G

I'm going home see my woman,

whom I love so dear

C G D

But, meanwhile I got to work right here

(Well, don't you know?)

G C G Em G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

C D G

That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang

All day long they're singing

G Em C D

hmm, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard

G Em

Give me water, I'm thirsty

C D

My, my work is so hard

G Em C D

hmm, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard

G Em

Give me water, I'm thirsty

C D

My, my work is so hard

G Em C D

hmm, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard

G Em

Give me water, I'm thirsty

C D

My, my work is so hard

Set8

About Chain Gang Chords by Sam Cooke

Learn how to play Chain Gang by Sam Cooke with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Chain Gang chords”, “Chain Gang guitar chords”, or “Sam Cooke Chain Gang chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Chain Gang chords and for experienced players who want accurate Chain Gang lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Em, C, D.

FAQ — Chain Gang by Sam Cooke

How do I play "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke free?

Yes. The chords for "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Chain Gang" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Chain Gang" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Chain Gang"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Chain Gang" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Chain Gang" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Sam Cooke below.

What key is "Chain Gang" in?

The chords for "Chain Gang" show the original chord names (including G, Em, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.