Cat. #0433 (MFH #283) - As sung by Mrs. Olive Coberley, Wheatland, Missouri on November 26, 1959
VERSE 1
Come, listen to me an' I'll sing you a song
Concerning th times an' it will not take long
Th people are all trying to buy
An' cheating each other but I cannot tell why
T'is, hard, hard, hard times
VERSE 2
First, is th ole widower looking so spry
He picks out his sweetheart before his wife dies
He's often out courting when she's on her death bed
Then he will marry as soon as she's dead
T'is, hard, hard, hard times
VERSE 3
Next is the ole maid, th poor ole thing
She knows how to play, to dance an' to sing
She knows how to coquet when she gets a chance
Then she will marry at any time hence
T'is, hard, hard, hard times
VERSE 4
Then, there is th girl I almost had missed
I really believe they liked to be kissed
They go to parties an' they go to th dance
Then they will marry when they get a chance
T'is, hard, hard, hard times
VERSE 5
An' there is th boy, th worst of th whole
They tell you they love you, to their very soul
They tell you they love you but they cannot tell why
Then they will leave you an' swear t'is a lie
T'is, hard, hard, hard times
VERSE 6
Last is th doctor, th worst of th lot
He says he will cure you for half you have got
He says he will cure you for half you possess
Then he will kill you an' sue for th rest
T'is, hard, hard, hard times