Nina Simone – Worksong (Guitar)

Key
-

Auto-scroll

Chords

This is another Nina Simone Song from the "High Priestess of Soul" album recently used in a TV advert as most great songs eventually are. Nat Adderley whilst a Jazz legend in his own right, was Cannonball Adderley's brother. All verses apart from the extension on the last one are the same. There is a little riff before the Ams at the start of the verses (a bit like the "Hootchie Coochie Man" riff), and extensive uses of stops on each line until Been Workin' an' Workin' which swings free. [Verse 1] Worksong (Oscar Brown Jr, Nat Adderley)
Am
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

Am
Breaking rocks and serving my time

Am
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang

E7
Because they done convicted me of crime.

Am
Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it

   Am         D7
Been Working and working

   B7       E7             Am
But I still got so terribly far to go
[Verse 2]
Am
I committed crime Lord I needed

Am
Crime of being hungry and poor

Am
I left the grocery store man bleeding 

E7
When they caught me robbing his store.

Am
Hold it steady right there while I hit it

Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it

     Am          D7
Been Working and working

      B7             E7        Am      
But I still got so terribly far to go.
[Verse 3]
Am
I heard the judge say five years

Am
On chain-gang you gonna go

Am
I heard the judge say five years labor

E7
I heard my old man scream "Lordy, no!"

Am
Hold it right there while I hit it

Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it

     Am          D7
Been Working and working

      B7             E7         Am      
But I still got so terribly far to go.
[Verse 4]
Am
Gonna see my sweet honey bee

Am
Gonna break this chain off to run

Am
Gonna lay down somewhere shady

E7
Lord I sure am hot in the sun

Am
Hold it right there while I hit it

Am
Well I reckon that ought to get it

      Am        D7
Been Workin' and workin'

       Am         D7
Been Workin' and slavin'

       Am         D7
An' Workin' and workin'

        E7                    Am       E7
But I still got so terribly far to go