I'm going down to the river : just to see the water run
And to think about my troubles : and where all my money's gone

Times has got so hard : that I cannot find a job
And every morning : the rent man grabs on my doorknob

I'm getting so ragged : I ain't got no decent clothes
I ain't got nobody : ain't got nowhere to go

Now I'm worried : ain't no telling what I'm going to do
My friends don't know me : and I can't get a dime or two

Soon as hard time strike me : my baby puts me out
Now guess you know : what these hard time is all about