Cat. #1157 (MFH #561) - As sung by Audrey Barclay, Springfield, Missouri on September 19, 1970
VERSE 1
Some folks are born right in th swim
So, I've heard some folks say
But I never was a lucky lad
For I was not born that way
VERSE 2
I'll tell you all a story
A friend of mine once said,
He was pretty sure that I
Had big wheels in my head
VERSE 3
Then its hard luck, hard luck
Th friend of mine once't said
He was pretty sure that I
Had big wheels in my head
VERSE 4
I had a brother, Jimmy
Th boys all called 'im Ike
One night we went to Lays saloon
N' both got in a fight
VERSE 5
Th bartender puled a great big gun
I jumped in front of him
Th bullet went right through me
An' killed my brother, Jim
VERSE 6
Then it's hard luck, hard luck
They hung me on th spot
Th jury said, it was through me
That brother Jim got shot
VERSE 7
I had another brother
You bet he was a jay
He fell into coal hole
It was just the other day
VERSE 8
He got five thousand damages
Just to walk a little lame
One day I found that coal hole open
An' I tried that same ole game
VERSE 9
Then it's hard luck, then hard luck
When I fell thru that hole
Instead of damages I got
Six months for stealing coal
VERSE 10
I'm traveling with a friend of mine
Who is a dry goods clerk
He of'en has night horses
N' dreams that he's at work
VERSE 11
He dreams of silks an' satins
An whole kinds other wear
I was aroused the other night
When I heard something tear
VERSE 12
Then it's hard luck, then hard luck
It made me feel so sad
When I found out, he'd tore up
The only shirt I had
VERSE 13
My wife she's got a great big mouth
It's big enough for both
The other night, bound a sleep
A rat went down her throat
VERSE 14
I went an' got a piece of cheese
N' then I got th cat
I placed th cheese upon her lip
An' waited for that rat
VERSE 15
Then it's hard luck, hard luck
Th rat, it left its stall
Th cat it jumped an' my wife swallowed
Th rat, cat, cheese an' all