Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Verse 1: A D All around I hear the sound of money A E7 A But I ain't got a nickel to my name A D A And everywhere I look I see temptation A E7 A She stands on every corner and calls my name Chorus: A D Now won't you tell me if you can A 'Cause life's so hard to understand E7 Why's the rich man busy dancing A While the poor man pays the band D A Oh they're billing me for killing me E7 A Lord have mercy on the working man
Verse 2: A D A Uncle Sam's got his hands in my pockets A E7 A And he helps himself each time he needs a dime A D A Them politicians treat me like a mushroom A E7 A 'Cause they feed me bull and keep me in the blind Chorus: A D Now won't you tell me if you can A 'Cause life's so hard to understand E7 Why's the rich man busy dancing A While the poor man pays the band D A Oh they're billing me for killing me E7 A Lord have mercy on the working man Break: A D A E E7 A D A E7 A Verse 3: A D A Hey St. Peter look down for a minute A E7 A And see this little man about to drown A D A There's quicksand all around and man I'm in it A E7 A Please help me up Lord cause I'm going down Chorus: A D Now won't you tell me if you can A 'Cause life's so hard to understand E7 Why's the rich man busy dancing A While the poor man pays the band D A Oh they're billing me for killing me E E7 A Lord have mercy on the working man Chorus: A D Won't you tell me if you can A 'Cause life's so hard to understand E E7 Why's the fat man busy dancing A While the thin man pays the band D A Oh they're billing me for killing me E7 A Lord have mercy on the working man E A Please Lord have mercy on the working man E D A Please Lord have mercy on the working man