Key: E
Introduction: E5 D5 D4 D D5
E5 D5
When I was a young man as all good tales begin
single notes:5th string 4th string 3rd string 4th String
A5ºr A2 D5 E5 Ah/º B D G E
I was taught to hold out my hand
Bridge: Play Intro chord sequence
E5 D5
And for my pay I worked an honest day
A2 D5 E5 A B D GE
and took what pittance I could win
Bridge: Play Intro chord sequence once
E5 D5 E5 D4 D D5
Now I'm a working John
E5 D5 E5 D4 D D5
and I'm a working Joe
E5 D5 E5 D4 D D5
and I'm doing what I know
B4
for God and the Economy
D5 C7M/G
Big brother watches over me
E5 D5 D4 D D5
And the state protects and feeds me
E5 D5 D4 D D5
And my conscience never leaves me
E5 D5 D4 D D5
And I'm loyal to the unions
E5 D5 D4 D D5
who protect me at all levels
Bridge: INTRO CHORD PATTERN TWICE OVER GUITAR SOLO
E5 D5
Now as I grew, the winds of fortune blew
A5 D5 E5 A B D GE
and the bank smiled down upon me
Bridge: Intro chord pattern Once
E5 D5
And mortgaged to the hilt I threw
A2 D5 E5 A B D GE
the breeze of caution behind me
Bridge: Intro chord pattern once
B4 A5 E5 B4 A5 E5
verse 3
D5/F# E5 D5
Now I own a horseless carriage
E5 D5
in a central-heated garage
E5 D5
And I commute eight miles a day
E5 D5
up at seven to make it pay
E5 D5
I direct ten limited companies
E5 D5
with seeming consummate expertise
E5 D5
two ulcers and a heart disease
E5
a trembling feeling in both knees
Chorus
D4 D D5 E5 D5 E5 D4 D D5
I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe