☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics tell the story of a person who works on a chain and breaks stones.
- The person has been convicted for a crime that consists of being hungry and poor.
- The text expresses the feeling of hopelessness and relentless work.
- However, there is a spark of hope for a better future and freedom.
- Overall, the lyrics describe the harsh life and hopes of a person on the chain.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'Work Song' by
Nina Simone tell the story of a person who works on a chain gang. The person has been convicted of a crime and now must perform hard labor by breaking rocks. The lyrics describe the hard and endless work on the chain gang and the hope that it will eventually come to an end.
The line 'Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang' shows that the person is working on the chain gang and breaking rocks. The repetition of this line emphasizes the effort and heaviness of the work. The person has been convicted for committing a crime, which consists of being hungry and poor. The lyrics say: 'I commited crime Lord I needed, Crime of being hungry and poor'. The person attempted to steal from a grocery store to satisfy their hunger and got caught.
The lyrics also express the feeling of hopelessness, as the person still has a long way to go to serve their sentence. The lyrics say: 'Been working and working, but I still got so terribly far to go'. The person has received a five-year sentence and must work on the chain gang. The line 'I heard the judge say five years labor' shows that the person must accept the sentence, despite their father's protest.
Despite the hopelessness, there is a spark of hope in the lyrics. The person dreams of their loved one and hopes to break free from the chain and run away. The lyrics say: 'Gonna see my sweet honey bee, Gonna break this chain off to run'. This shows the desire for freedom and a better life.
Overall, the lyrics of the song 'Work Song' describe the hard work and suffering of a person on the chain gang, convicted of a crime. It also shows the hope for a better future and freedom. The lyrics express the feeling of hopelessness and tireless work.