Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

If Work Permits

Chords

4.930 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

INTRO / THE VERSE WHERE SHE CHEATED ON HIM
E
So the wEind that blows across your room,
CaArried cheap perfume onto your dresser,
It rained for jeEwelery and for credit cards,
Two tiAckets to a film I don't Eremember,
One daAy you'll kiss your rabbit's nose, pick up the phone,
To find I've been turned Eover,
You gArab that piece of gold,
Only to find that the smell has taken oEver,
And all the things you Ahad,
They aren't the saB7me
As what you hoEld
Now I'm stEandin' in a room,
That's filled with olAder folks,
They're pleading baby Elisten,
And I scrEeam as loud as anyone,
But when asAked to make a point,
I tend to wEhisper
Now hAighways turn to tidal waves,
And they're asking me to export all of your Einsecurities,
But that wiAnd that blows across your room, it's gonna set the sails,
And send me back to yEou, oB7oh,
CHORUS - THE MELLOW ONE
 ESometimes, when sailors are sailin', they,
 AThink twice, about where they're anchorin'
 And EI think, I could make better use,
 AOf my time on land,
 I'll dErink less,
 Cause Lord knows I could use a,
 AWarm kiss instead of a cold goodbye
 F#I'm writing the folks back home to tell them,
 AHey I'm doing all right
E A
E A B
E A
E A B
THE VERSE WHERE HE RECOUNTS A DARK CHILDHOOD MEMORY
It's a shEame what your father dAid,
To your bErothers head, he smaAshed it wBith the
TEelephoAneE  A  B  
Your mothEer got scared and loAcked the door,
You were onEly four, but LoArd, yBou remEember itA,
    C#m  BSo now you're scaAred of love
I'm here to tell you love's not some fucking blood on the recEeiver
Love is speAaking in code
It's an inside joke, love is coming hoEme
CHORUS - THE NOT MELLOW ONE
 ESometimes, when sailors are sailin', they,
 AThink twice, about where they're anchorin'
 And EI think, I could make better use,
 AOf my time on land,
 I'll dErink less,
 Cause Lord knows I could use a,
 AWarm kiss, Instead of a cold goodbye
 F#I'm writing the folks back home to tell them,
 AHey I
Yeah I'm doing alrEight
Yeah I'm doin' just fiAne
An' if she seF#ems as lonely as me, Let her sAink
Yeah I'm doin' alrEight,
Yeah I'm doin' just fAine,
An' if she sF#eems as lonely as me, let her,
SiAnk, you let her, sink, well let her!
E A
E A B
E A
E A B
E A
E A B
E A
E B A

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"If Work Permits" comes from The Format, an indie rock band known for blending various styles with elements of 60s and 70s pop. The band's name itself was chosen to poke fun at the music industry's tendency toward a "cookie-cutter format" for hit songs. Appearing on their album Dog Problems, the song carries the spirit of a band that values its unique sound over industry expectations. It plays like a reflection on priorities, balancing personal desires against the demands of daily life.

AI-written from these sources:The Format — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

If Work Permits

by The Format

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

INTRO / THE VERSE WHERE SHE CHEATED ON HIM

So the wind that blows across your room,

Carried cheap perfume onto your dresser,

It rained for jewelery and for credit cards,

A E

Two tickets to a film I don't remember,

One day you'll kiss your rabbit's nose, pick up the phone,

To find I've been turned over,

You grab that piece of gold,

Only to find that the smell has taken over,

And all the things you had,

They aren't the same

As what you hold

Now I'm standin' in a room,

That's filled with older folks,

They're pleading baby listen,

And I scream as loud as anyone,

But when asked to make a point,

I tend to whisper

Now highways turn to tidal waves,

And they're asking me to export all of your insecurities,

But that wind that blows across your room, it's gonna set the sails,

E B7

And send me back to you, ooh,

CHORUS - THE MELLOW ONE

Sometimes, when sailors are sailin', they,

Think twice, about where they're anchorin'

And I think, I could make better use,

Of my time on land,

I'll drink less,

Cause Lord knows I could use a,

Warm kiss instead of a cold goodbye

I'm writing the folks back home to tell them,

Hey I'm doing all right

E A

E A B

E A

E A B

THE VERSE WHERE HE RECOUNTS A DARK CHILDHOOD MEMORY

E A

It's a shame what your father did,

E A B

To your brothers head, he smashed it with the

E A E A B

Telephone

E A

Your mother got scared and locked the door,

E A B E A

You were only four, but Lord, you remember it,

C#m B A

So now you're scared of love

I'm here to tell you love's not some fucking blood on the receiver

Love is speaking in code

It's an inside joke, love is coming home

CHORUS - THE NOT MELLOW ONE

Sometimes, when sailors are sailin', they,

Think twice, about where they're anchorin'

And I think, I could make better use,

Of my time on land,

I'll drink less,

Cause Lord knows I could use a,

Warm kiss, Instead of a cold goodbye

I'm writing the folks back home to tell them,

Hey I

Yeah I'm doing alright

Yeah I'm doin' just fine

F# A

An' if she seems as lonely as me, Let her sink

Yeah I'm doin' alright,

Yeah I'm doin' just fine,

An' if she seems as lonely as me, let her,

Sink, you let her, sink, well let her!

E A

E A B

E A

E A B

E A

E A B

E A

E B A

About If Work Permits Chords by The Format

Learn how to play If Work Permits by The Format with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “If Work Permits chords”, “If Work Permits guitar chords”, or “The Format If Work Permits chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy If Work Permits chords and for experienced players who want accurate If Work Permits lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B7, F#, B, C#m.

FAQ — If Work Permits by The Format

How do I play "If Work Permits" by The Format on guitar?

Open the free chords for "If Work Permits" by The Format on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "If Work Permits" by The Format free?

Yes. The chords for "If Work Permits" by The Format are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "If Work Permits" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "If Work Permits" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "If Work Permits"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "If Work Permits" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "If Work Permits" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "If Work Permits" by The Format with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Format below.

What key is "If Work Permits" in?

The chords for "If Work Permits" show the original chord names (including E, A, B7, F#, B, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.