Chain Gang

The message of the song is Don't Throw Your Life Away. I know this because the narrator says, "I hear them moanin' their lives away", this shows that they have nothing to look forward to. They won't ever be able to do anything except the labor. He also mentions that the prisoners mention not being able to see their women. They can't see the person they love most. This shows to other people to be careful because if they do something wrong, they could end up like the chain gang and have nothing to look forward to and won't be able to see their lover.