My old man, he put me in jail, it's hard 
My old man, he put me in jail, it's hard 
Where the doors are locked and barred 
With a big, long chain tied to the floor  [bad word] his soul, I'm weak and I'm poor 
These are hard times, for sure 

My darlin' forgot my name, it's hard 
My darlin' forgot my name, it's hard 
I was dealt the losin' card 
Once she came to visit me 
Turned away, fast as can be 
These are hard times, for sure 

I stole myself some rope today, it's hard 
I stole myself some rope today, it's hard 
My body, I'll discard 
And then my soul will fly away 
Where It'll go, I don't dare to say 
These are hard times, for sure