Hard Times

[Verse 1]

There was a Camptown man, he used to plow and sing

And he loved his mule and the mule loved him

When the day got long, as it does about now

I'd hear him singing to his mule and cow

[Chorus]

Singing, "Come on, my sweet old girl and I'll bet the whole wide world

That we're gonna make it yet to the end of the row"

Singing, "Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, Bessie

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more"

[Verse 2]

Said it's a mean old world, heavy in need

And that big machine, it just keep picking up speed

We're supping on tears and we're supping on wine

We'll all get to heaven in our own sweet time

[Chorus]

So come all you Asheville boys and turn up your old-time noise

And kick till the dust comes up from the cracks in the floor

Singing, "Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, brother

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more"

[Verse 3]

But the Camptown man, he doesn't plow no more

I saw him walking down to the cigarette store

Guess he lost that knack and forgot that song

Woke up this morning and the mule was gone

[Chorus]

So come all you ragtime kings and come on, you dogs, and sing

And pick up a dusty old horn and give it a blow

Playing, "Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, honey

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, sugar

Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more"