Working John Working Joe
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2
Intro: E5 D5 Dsus4 D D5
Repeat Intro Sequence
verse 1
E5 D5
When I was a young man as all good tales begin
single notes:5th string 4th string 3rd string 4th String
A5 or A2 D5 E5 open A h/o B D open 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 single notes: A B D G E
and took what pittance I could win
Bridge: Play Intro chord sequence once
Chorus
E5 D5 E5 Dsus4 D D5
Now I'm a working John
E5 D5 E5 Dsus4 D D5
and I'm a working Joe
E5 D5 E5 Dsus4 D D5
and I'm doing what I know
Bsus4
for God and the Economy
D5 Cmaj7/G
Big brother watches over me
E5 D5 Dsus4 D D5
And the state protects and feeds me
E5 D5 Dsus4 D D5
And my conscience never leaves me
E5 D5 Dsus4 D D5
And I'm loyal to the unions
E5 D5 Dsus4 D D5
who protect me at all levels
Bridge: INTRO CHORD PATTERN TWICE OVER GUITAR SOLO
verse 2
E5 D5
Now as I grew, the winds of fortune blew
A5 D5 E5 single notes: A B D G E
and the bank smiled down upon me
Bridge: Intro chord pattern Once
E5 D5
And mortgaged to the hilt I threw
A2 D5 E5 single notes: A B D G E
the breeze of caution behind me
Bridge: Intro chord pattern once
Chorus
Now I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe
and I'm good at what I know
And God and the Economy
have blessed me with equality
Now I'm equal to the best of you
And better than the rest of you
who would criticise my success
in times of national unrest
Guitar Solo: Intro twice and then play 2 bars each of Bsus4 A5 E5 Bsus4 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
(Tacet) Dsus4 D D5 E5 D5 E5 Dsus4 D D5
I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe
How to play Working John Working Joe
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 E5. 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.