Lyric discussion by RobotechMaster 

It seems obvious this song refers to someone working on the chain gang on a county road. "There ain't no heaven" refers to the hell the singer is going through. The part about the "dear old mother" is a standard staple of prison blues.

The "don't talk about it" and "don't come around me" parts presumably refer to the singer not wanting to think about what he'd done. And of course someone working on the chain gang is not going to be brought any silver or gold.

Though most of your obvious catches in meaning of the song, and I agree with most of it but your las bit about someone on the chain gang not being brought silver or gold (though that may be true) I have a feeling that he might be refering to a song By Led Zeppelin Gallows Pole [quote]Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while, I Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile. Friends, you get some silver? Did you get a little gold? What did you bring me, my dear friends? Keep me from the Gallows Pole. What did you bring me to...

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