Workingmans Blues #2
Bob Dylan Modern Times
Pattern Verse (chord/Note) Walk the Bass Down CAPO II (actual key D) Chords shapes
notes mentioned relative to the capo.
Start the bass run with the open G string and proceed to F# on the D string.
GG/F#G/E G/D C/C G/B(pinky on the D)A/Am7 D/D7
G G/F#
There's an evenin' haze settlin' over town
G/E G/D
Starlight by the edge of the creek
C/C G/B
The buyin' power of the proletariat's gone down
Am7/A D7/D
Money's gettin' shallow and weak
G G/F#
Well, the place I love best is a sweet memory
G/E G/D
It's a new path that we trod
C/CB/D
They say low wages are a reality
A/Am7 D/D7
If we want to compete abroad
G G/F#
My cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
G/EG/D
Come sit down on my knee
C/C G/B
You are dearer to me than myself
Am7/A D7/D
As you yourself can see
G G/F#
While I'm listening to the steel rails hum
G/E G/D
Got both eyes tight shut
C/C G/B
Just sitting here trying to keep the hunger from
Am7/A D7/D
Creeping it's way into my gut
Chorus:
CG
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Am G
Bring me my boots and shoes
CG
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
AmD7 G
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
G G/F#
Well, I'm sailin' on back, ready for the long haul
G/E G/D
Tossed by the winds and the seas
C/C G/B
I'll drag 'em all down to hell and I'll stand 'em at the wall
Am7/A D7/D
I'll sell 'em to their enemies
GG/F#
I'm tryin' to feed my soul with thought
G/EG/D
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
C/CG/B
Sometimes no one wants what we got
Am7/A D7/D
Sometimes you can't give it away
G G/F#
Now the place is ringed with countless foes
G/E G/D
Some of them may be deaf and dumb
C/CG/B
No man, no woman knows
Am7/A D7/D
The hour that sorrow will come
G G/F#
In the dark I hear the night birds call
G/EG/D
I can feel a lover's breath
C/C G/B
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
Am7/A D7/D
Sleep is like a temporary death
(repeat chorus)
G G/F#
Well, they burned my barn, and they stole my horse
G/E G/D
I can't save a dime
C/C G/B
I got to be careful, I don't want to be forced
Am7/A D7/D
Into a life of continual crime
G G/F#
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
G/E G/D
How I wish you were here to see
C/C G/B
Tell me now, am I wrong in thinking
Am7/A D7/D
That you have forgotten me?
G G/F#
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
G/E G/D
They waste your nights and days
C/C G/B
Them I will forget
Am7/A D7/D
But you I'll remember always
G G/F#
Old memories of you to me have clung
G/E G/D
You've wounded me with your words
C/C G/B
Gonna have to straighten out your tongue
Am7/A D7/D
It's all true, everything you've heard
(repeat chorus)
G G/F#
In you, my friend, I find no blame
G/E G/D
Wanna look in my eyes, please do
C/C G/B
No one can ever claim
Am7/A D7/D
That I took up arms against you
G G/F#
All across the peaceful sacred fields
G/E G/D
They will lay you low
C/C G/B
They'll break your horns and slash you with steel
Am7/A D7/D
I say it so it must be so
G G/F#
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
G/E G/D
Gonna give you another chance
C/C G/B
I'm all alone and I'm expecting you
Am7/A D7/D
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
G G/F#
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
G/E G/D
I can live on rice and beans
C/C G/B
Some people never worked a day in their life
Am7/A D7/D
Don't know what work even means
(repeat chorus)
