So... rattle of his chains has to be a reference to him feeling trapped by his family. Also the Last Ride is what makes it interesting. As someone who had only heard Kris do the song previously i think it's up to the singer and the listener to understand. To me when Kris sings the song it's a night on its way to a grisly suicide. When John Denver sings it, the man has resolved to stop cheating on his wife, said goodbye to an old lover, and hopes to be a better father and husband.