"WORKING MAN" RUSH

As heard on RUSH (MERC U RY)

Words and Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Transcribed by Jeff Perrin

di
Ii .5rrdSfr lilt . 7fr
05

E5

A5

1 34

[AlIntro

1 34

E5

23 1

144

G5

1444

14

E7

E6

23 14

2314

(0:00)

M od e rat ely

q= 78

E5
1

(05)

(A5)

Otrs. I and 2 (clcc. w/dist.) _

(C5) (05)

E5

(05) (A5)

E5

(repeat previous
two bars)

1.Well
(C5) (05)

E5

iJil-4l-l'
-L-:- ~-~---_-=p=
- - ~---*'o-J~f- 1_t:td
_o--o-=--:..
3=-_-=43_
-1_
5=--=.2l
__._,_-_-_-_-~
--~---_#_._:-~~~~----__-_-_,,
~

Ve rses (0:12, 0:58, 5:29)

( I., 3.)
(2.)

I getup
I gethome
E5

at sevenyeah and I
go to work at
nine
at five o'clockand I take myselfout a nice coldbeer
(05) (A5)
E5
(C5) (05)

I got notime for livin' yes I'm workin' all the lime
}
Alwaysseemto bewonderin'whythere's nothln' goln' downhere II
E5
(05) (A5) E5
(C5) (05)

Bass plays Bass Fill I seco nd and third tim es (see below)

seemsto meI couldlive my life

E5

05 A5

a lot betterthan I thinkI am

C5

05

I guessthat
'swhy theycallme

E5

05 A5

Theycallmetheworkingman

C5

05

:~
,~:~.-!=J
---1r--~ i~ i==~ _,_,___ts-=tl tf::_~=i--~r==bAJ
u -u -r- Ltf
~- ? ?ILJ:;::: t:;t?

tJ3b -LJ
-

o;;;i -

Bass

-------:---,

Notesplayed seco11
d lime 011/
y.

Bass Fill 1 (0:58,5:29)

E5

05 A5 E5

C5

05

E5

05 A5

E5

C5

05

(play simile on third verse)

1975 ( RENEW (>) CO R E MUSIC PUB LISH ING.

USED BY PERMISSION
OP ALF RED PUBLISHING
CO., INC.
AU RI GHTS RES&RVEO.

"WORKING MAN"
~ 1st,

2nd and 4th C horus es (0:37, 1:22, 5:53)

I. , 3.

Theycall metheworking man

N.C.(E5)

(05)

I guessthat'swhatI

A5

(G5)

13

am

E5

D5 A5

Rhy . Fig. I

let ring - - - ...- - .....,

{211d time) skip ahead to [MlOutro

(2nd time) Theycall me the working man

E5

C5

05

I guess that's what I

05

E5

A5

am

2. As

E5

C5

05
end Rhy . Fig . I

2.

lnl

[Qj lst

Gu i tar Solo (1:31)

am

E5

05

A5

C5

E5

05

Gtr. I plays Rhy. Fig. I twice simile (see bar I 6)

20

Gtr . 2

----

-f-

,~

7-

7 ---

L_J

7'

5-

9-

7-

9-

7-

6-

7- 6 ~

1......1

3-

5-

6-I

Sass
-

7- ' --

7-

L_d

6-

7---

7-

E5

5-

A5

----

--1--

9---

9--

~ ---

05

6-t-

L_J

05

22

E5

- 6 --

7'

L___J

7-

6-

! ! I I I

E5

114

9------,---------"-------

E5

A5

6-

L.J
C5

--

C5

7
I

05

--.

let ring - - -

---

--------

D5

'---t-~
7-,~1~1~1~r~~- s~-+--!-'-+=--=-7-7~- ----=3-_-_~---~~

1--~~~~~~-5 - 6 - 1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-1-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-,....._..~-1-~~-1

"WORKING MAN"
E5

E5

A5

05

003rd C horu s (1:55)

Well they call me theworking

N.C.(E5)
28

C5

05

man
(G5)

(05)

Gtrs. I and 2

guess that's

what I

A5

let ring ______________

1

7---

7--7

7---

7
7~

Bass plays Bass Fig. I (see bar 13)

IIIc2:04)

J = 156

Double-Tim e

am

31

E5

Gtr. 2

Gtrs. I and 2

114

Bass

>

>

>

>

7- 7- 7- 7-

>

>

>

7- 7- 6- 7

[Q] 2 nd G uit ar Solo

(2:11)

E5
35

>

l/4

Gtr. 2

sligh1P.H.. -

~
f---!--+--l--+-

2--

+-'>-

7 - 6-~

7-

-~

-t-,.

--l~l--~--l~~'---+~~~-1--1-~-1--'--l--l--l---!---+--l--+-!---+-'-~

1
~ : .' ____ _

-....~~_,...

7--+5- 7
~

Rhy . Fig. 2 _ ___

....

....,..~-

s ~~--,.-

t:J===t:J

____ .....

-,...~ --1

- 1:LJ

__ .. . ____ ,

repe<llprevious chord

Bass
7 --

>

>

7- 7- 67 - 7-

7--

Gtr. 2

112

7- 7

Gtr. J plays Rhy. Fig. 2 twice (see bar 37)

39

>

tr----------~-~---------------->

>

4+11 S- S1 61

._ ____ __

"WORKINGMAN"
E
GtT. 2
43 >

Olt- --------'-t

O)'

Gtr. I
P . M ---------

-----

- -----

-----------------~

P.M . . ________

. ___ .. ____ . ____ ...

___________________________________________________

. _________________

.
i>.M.

Ctr. I plays Rhy. Fig. 2 (see bar 37)

51
-

Gtr 2
~

7 - 10 -

,.....---.,,

--10

7- 10 - 7---

,.,.---..._,_

7- 10 -

10

7 --

,,-----__

7 - 10- 7--

10

10 -

f"\

7
'- 10 -

-::-

l- 8 - 10- 10 -( 10 -)- 8

L_
3

Gtr.2 1

r---------

- - -

4~

___,_
C)- 7

9 --

7-l+

L.J

---7 l 7'

77-t-

L.J

,=,.

12 -

14

15 -

12 ---

14

12-

14 -

12 -

Gtr. I
i>.M.

--

9- 7

;i=+=l

8
9 -j-

8--

>

>

53

Bass
-

--

LJ

8- 10-

- --

tr

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

s1

- p-- p-- p
Bass

----7

7 -(-

!)

!)

---...9

...
8

9 -!+

!)

!)

s- 7

I
~

-----...7

I
y

5 --

s -l

12

l__J

15

"WORKING MAN"
55
-

Gtr. I play s Rhy. Fig. 2 (see bar 37)

Otr. 2
15- 12--14
I

12- 15 -

12 >---15- 12 --

L_J

L_

12
>---15- 12 --

'...._J

15- 12

12
14 -jI

12 - 15 - 15

14

12 - 15- 1215

17 - 1215

17- 12 15

17 - 12-,

Bass
>

>-

12- 15-

14

'f

>

7 ---

7 ---

7 --

67---

57 Orr.2

r'--11- -15 - - 14

15- 12

-----

7 ---

..-=
_ ______

15- 15- 15- 12 -

1---1---+--+--+---1--+-+----'1---+-

!..

r==
--f-1

r-----_
,_ J

14

-l14

5---

-_-_-_--l
r_-_-_-_-_----..,,.
______

fl _-

14 12

L...J

- .....-c=-..----~-------1-

- - 12 - 15- 15-{ 15 }- 12
14

-+---1--+--+--+---'1---+--+---1f-1-+-I

----.-

14

o~-o

L _! _ J

LJ

r U~
14

14

LJ

14

14--1---1--11----l-

L...J

'-- J -'

.L:s-l

1..--...
5:..
1
12 -,__
- 15

-i

,_ __J

01r. I
P.M .

:=::: ? ------

- ?--- ?- ?

--+-------------1---------1-----~

?--- ?

=,._-

5 --------------~

l....._......,
?- 1----

l...J
- O----'

Bass
Bass Fig. 2 1
>

IJ-------.,_

>

1---------------------------------1--1- 1--1----1 --7---------=="'"-__..,.-+-I

I
?
fI
I I
I

~<-/
--5------------t
- - - -l
+---- ----5 ---1-- ...,
5----5_____________
~
?
I
I I
? I

6---t

0 1r. I

Rhy. Fig. 3
P.M. ___ _

o--

o--

J>.M. ____

P.M. ________

o---+----

o--

11---+--

o--~-

P.M. ____ _ ___ ,

o----1---

0----

0----+----

P.M.

P.M.

o,----+---

Bass rep eats Bass Fig. 2 (see bc,r 57)

D5
61

Otr. 2

...-------- ...

11'1

~--

J
Gtr. I

P.i\1 . ..............

..

P.M . .......

P.M.... .... ....

end Rhy. Fig. 3

.1

-- _________
--------, -------11-----,-______
--------1-----?__________ _,_
,_
_____ _,__
___ _,_
~=====
~------- -,-------1
-----I

1-------------O---

O---

Bass
>
1----------------------------1-----------------------7--7---

O----+----

O---

O----l---

7---

--------------6 --7--+- 7 - -- a --a --7----l---!---l-l---l---+----+----+----ll----+----+---I

>

7---

7---

,Q--....L..
1

O---+----

O---+----ll--------+----

9 ----11---

7-----------~

9---

1 ---

"WORKINGMA N"
E5
Crr. I plays Rhy . Fig . 3 rhree times {see bar 59)
Ctr. 2

I Y,

IYi

II\

II\

1n
1+4:: .::~14
1--~ 141--- 14--

63 ,
1114- -- -_ - _- _-:.1+4: ~ :::::::: .::3 ::.::.::.::.::.::.-1
l--f__ 11-3-~
-:.-:.-:.::.=-1
- 1+4-1- -1---

---11------1----+---

1-4--

1-3--

1-2--l-

-l- +---+---+---l----ll----l--+--+--+-

1-1--

1-0-- 1-0--

7- ...9--- 10
-="' 1- -- _- _- _- _- 7--

+--+---+---+---l--t---+-

9- -- _::9- '-+
/- 9

9-+--+--+-+-

Bass

E5

05

1/4

66
1------ ~ - s -

10 - a.---,.

l---i- ~~--+--+--+-t-- --+--+---+--t-

--.,,-----

--1 _,. -... --

9- 9- 7-7- 7
+---+-1-9--+---+-+--,f--!--

....,-.~ --

.,.-.- ~,,...,,.-..--

- .-,, ---,-,-.-

- ~--,.

l-- -r--

,....
--- ...

.,....,.
.......
--------

5---+-+----~+--+-----+~+-

--1

--+-!--

,n

1----1------

...,..---------1----

9-'-------.;'."'9
~
9 +---57"- 7- ~1-- -------1----1-------1------11-45-+--t-_...-t-------1....---t------+-

1-9----

-------

-.+

--+-----+---+--+--+---+-I
-~--+,----+------t.-----+---+-+--t-~

E5

05

69

i---------~
7-7--

--

5-

-----------7--

7--

7---------

--1------

s- -5---------1----------.,..-...-------5-

,,---+--+--+-

-i

- ~i--t-- --t-~1---+--t--+---ll--t-+--t-

-+-+--ll--t-+-

05
114

11-

--

9- 1--

11- 1 -

9- 1-

- 11- 1

,n

IE](3:13, 4:34)
N.C.(E5)
Gtrs . I an.d 2

75

Rhy. Fig. 4 - - - - ......

ll- ---

-,-'~ -----

- -

. (play 3 times)
... .... - . - .. ,

...,--.- ---1 ----5'-+ 5+- -----1

- S---+-+---l '-1 --1-7--1--+--+--1--

1+- --'"--+---+-

..-..-------,,.-.,---1----+--+- 7--ll---+---I

---+-+----

"WORKING MAN"
(2nd time) skip ahead to

IIJ

Gtr. 2 ,--...,..........,,---,

Gtr. I

* Gtr. 2 pltlys top notes fi rst

li me and

botto m notes second wn e.

9~ 7---,..

=--,.
- ---

1
Q--l- ~ -1---1- -1--+-

Ctr . I plays Rhy. Fig. 4 twice {see bc,r 75)

Gtr. 2

83

..----

If

'

Bass plays Bass Fig. 3 twice {see bar 75)

I]

3rd Guitar Solo (3:38)

ES
Ctr. I plays Rhy. Fig. 2/our times simil e (see bar 37)
87

II

Gtr.2

7-l

Bass

l-- ----------- 7- 7--"f- 7- 7--"/-

7-

5---

5~

7--

- --1-----~
- --

i;--------+-..,
i.---
s
1.
_.._l _ __, 1 I T

o_i_ s

i,;-

--J.------i;;-f- 1- _-

s-

7--

-------1-r- 7

----

5----

I o_i_ s- 6 5=i=
1I
I ........
,_
! __.__,

S-

sI

---1
s - i;;-I

5-

91

---- ----

- -----

~~\ ;_ _ ___

~ 5->---

- 5~1---

3~ ---

- -' -f3.\- ----'-

Je t ring .,

7-'--+--

- 5S

7---

5-

3-

5-

>

7--::-=- r: 5t: : 7
i:: ::s ::: :J:=:; 5~-:: --

T I I j

3+- 3-

5-

6~-

7--- 7

5-

...__.
_......_....,

- -'- -'--L-- 5---

LJ

Gtr.2

95

sligh1P.H . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

slighl P.fal.- - - - - - - - - - - .. - - ..........................

P.H.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 'I

o
pi1ch: D~

Gtr. l

Rhy. Fig . 5 - - - _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - __- - - - ______________..

_-,

P.M. _ ...... ............

>
>

................

.... .. .... -- .... .... ........ .. ................

>

>

>

------ -->

"WORKING MAN"
Gtr. 1 plays Rhy. Fig. 5 twice (.~ee bar 95)

1/4

1/4

99 - --- - - ---- -,

,,------ ...

5 - 5"' ---'-

Ctr. I plays Rhy . Fig. 2 twice (see bar 37)

1/2

P.11.

114
P.H.

_..,...__.

pitch:G

Gtr. 2

1-

10--

10-a -

10-

.-

1/2

,----..._

a-

1- 10- 1- - 10

:=:::::

bd...JI

. I

pitch: A

ES

05

-.

114

107 PH~

? ,-

I I

o- o --t-

,.---..._
1- 1- 10- 1

10

7- 10 '

--

c:c::
LJ
3

10- 10- 10--,

==
Ll
3

Rhy. Fig . 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,

P.M .

9
7
o-

,----..._
1- 1- 10- 1 ~

Gtr. 1

,----..._
1-10- 1~

0-'- 0 1

1 1

r - 01
I

7
7
5

P.M. ___

P.M.

P.M.

o- 01

9
9
7

P.M . ,

P.M

-,

7
7

r-

P.M . 1

P.M.

P~

Y+

0.4

4- 5_1_

I I

P.M.

?- ? 1

? -t-

r _J

Bass

let ring _ ____ . ______ ...................... "I

--

9-'-+ 9 -t-7

9-1 -+

LJ

-----9 ~ 7

9 --.+

~,

A
~

1-r

~ I

ES

1- 7

5- 7

I I

05

I I

., ~

ES

Ctr. I plays Rhy. Fig. 6 six times simile (see bar 109)
Gtr.2
grad. bends

111
-

_...!.
10~ 10~

10~

_;

10~

10~

II\

___;

10

10~

10~

10-

--

10

...}

10~

10~

7 - 10-

10-

I)

Bass
~

1--

----

>

1--

1--

.
5-j-

LJ
5

5-

6-t-

L.J

5--

_J

10--j

"WORKING MAN"
05

--

114
"-

10-

8---

10 -

12- 15- 15- 12-

12-

l-15 ......2L 1s= 1'2- 12- 12~~

1s=1 '2- 12:::-15~L

15 - 12--

12 ---15-I
0

L_J

8 -f-

E5

L._J

L_J

LJ

7--

: -_-: _:- __ ............_ ...............

_ ...........,

05

let ring- - - - - - - - ........................ - .. : :::

~T

05

E5

let ring- - ................. ,

I!,\

~1~2

12 - 15

--

L..J

1~2

12

12 - 1~2

--

14

12- 15 - 15~

14

5~

1~

--- 9 ~

-9-t-

.-,

E5

- 12
15-.-

i~ { r2 5
, r-15
15
.- 15 --

5)- 12-

o - o-

<i__.E-4+- f -

LJ

--

o-

1~-- 1:
)15 15 12 --

5-

s - s --

15-

L
.,

5- 0 ~

Lb!

I L.....J

05

119

go back to

121 E5
'"- 15 - 12-12 15 - 12-- 15 - 12 --1--l---+-14
14
14
L__J

L..LJ

3
let ring ______________

1-- 9
1---1 ---

[El

05

7'--

--

_ - - - - - - - - -

7'--

,
-+----

15 - 12--I

14

15- 12--

L_J

------------

15-12
14,-+-4--1-

...__
1
__

15- 12---

14

15- 12

II
II

14

14
o-1

L...!......J

L__J

-?

9,-----7

14

~----

o-

5---

11

"WORKING MAN"

III

(4:53)

N.C.(E5)
123

G5

Gtrs. I and 2

t--- --

l/Z

--,,--..-----

-,.--..---

~----

S-+S+----

-+ ---

....,-..-- ---

..,.-..--- -1-7--1- -~ . .=-. ~--- 5

~::e
~

~ 1

Bass

--

1- -----'-

-----

-1 -_ _._ :

-+--+---+--+-

-1--1---1--1-

- -

5-+5~ 7---

::::_1 _-_-_:- --i--1-

-t--s -1-

------

"-+ -t--

+-+-

- - -+-----t---+--+

-+-

t =eh --1,-

--'-t---+--

1-~ 1-1, ---+1- o

~, ---1fr~~

IRl<4 :59)

E7

Bass
>

>

Bass Fig. 4

>

>

1-

1-

1-

1-

1-

1-

1-

- ---.-

.........

............

9--

.......

.. . ,

- - 9- ----

-1---

1-i-

E6
Gtr. 2

-----------

(
Bass plays Bass Fig. 4 twice (see bar I 29)

E5

E7

Grr. I
135 ~M........

....

...

----------~
7- 7- 7- 7'---+ -t---l--l-+--+-f---l-

..

7-

7-

.......

9--------7-+-,0-- -7- 7- 7- 7-'--+--+--l--+-l--+--+-

. . . . ......

-~7-

7--

9-----9----...-- 9-9-+-l7- 7-~-+-7- 7---+

-+7--l----l
7.--' '-+ -f---l-7-~-t-+7--' -l--+--+--

10

9-9
f-- 7-l--~
-+- I--+---'-'1-~

._,._
-=-

"WORKING MAN"
11](5:18)
J=

Or iginal Tem po

D5

go back to(ill Verse

78

3.

A5

C5

E5

D5

E5

D5 A5

C5

Well

D5

Gtrs . 1 and 2
P.M .

139

Gtr. I

let ring ___ --,

[Ml Outro

(6:14)

beco,ning gradu<1llys/o}ve,-..- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - .... - - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - 1

D5

A5

C5

D5

D5

A5

C5

D5

143
f--- 1--- _- _- _- 1:.:.:..:_-7---_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_1-- 1:.:.:.:.. -1---2-2
2-2-7-7- 7
2-2-5-7- 7
2-2---

y- y

LJ
-

1:. :.:. :.:_-7----l---7

--5----+-

y- y

1:_:..-_-:: ~====--7-------l2-2-7-72-2-5-7-

LI

y- y

7
7

LJ

_~
2-- 2--

~---2--2

y- LJ
-

5:.:.:.:. -7~- ~
5-7
3-5

* Freely

(6:39)
(play 4 limes)
let rmg- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -,
1/2

147
1t:- 10-

112

10

1/2

10

10~

10~

let ring- .... - - - - - - - - - ..- - - ..- .. - - - - - - ..- - - - - ........

112

10

10 ,

112

10

..

. :: 10 .....

112

112

10

l
10::, 10

l 10

10::,

l 10-

10::,

112

(<r<n~

13
1 ---

---

-.

1g
1

II
II

L J_: L J_:

I
I

L J_:

J__J_JJ

:;:

:;:

(play 1S I time only)

.....

II

I
start slowly and grad ually increase tempo.

(6:59)

149 - ,

R 18)~~
12-

p ick
scrape

E7

r.-.

. 8~

x---~
X"-<- 0

~
-

i(D

'11
'-

::

---------- _-...

-----------------

+7'
:I
'
1
p11ch:Gf!'

G1r. I pla ys root not e only.

w/M bk

'

,7

,7,

::

::

Cg\
-----------------...------, r.-.
7,

Plck each not e as fast as posslble , randoml y alternat ing between them while allowing them to ring .

11

-, :,.

I
>

-'
I

..

I
..
II

II