Workin' Man
View chords used in this chart
(G) Sittin' alone in the dark, wastin' my time in a park
'cause (C) I got nowhere to (G) go
had me a job til the market fell out
tried hard to borrow but there was no help
now (C) I've got nowhere to (G) go
Chorus
(C) I need a job for (D) these two hands
I'm a workin' (C) man with nowhere to (G) go
(G) One last look at the land, auctioneer with his gavel in hand
and (C) he says, "it's got to (G) go"
worked this piece all my life
it broke my heart then took my wife
now (C) I've got nothin' to (G) show
Chorus
(Em) Wandered aimless in the (C) city
with my dirt workin' boot and my (D) ol' straw hat in (G) hand (C)(G)
(F#)(Em) singin' a song by Woody (C) Guthrie
this land is your land; it ain't (D) my land
(NC) I'm a workin' (C) man with nowhere to (G) go
(G) I was born to the sunrise, breaking back all day
now (C) I've got something to (G) say (C)(G)
I am broke but not broken
I am not alone 'cause there's a (C) lot of folks
with nowhere to (G) go
(C) Are they ever going to (D) understand
you can't leave a workin' (C) man
with nowhere to (G) go
(C) Are they ever going to (D) understand
you can't leave a workin' (C) man
with nowhere to (G) go
How to play Workin' Man
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.