Hard Times of America
based on the traditional song "Hard Times of Old England"
new lyrics by Gerrit Graham and David Kraai, arrangement by David Kraai

For eight generations my family’s lived here
Farmed land and fished river for over 200 years
That don’t mean a damn when you loan’s in arrears
Singing, “Oh, the hard times of America...
In America very hard times.”

Down in the village, all’s changed anyhow
The dairy co-op’s a link in the chain now
And to swim in the creek is no longer allowed
Singing, “Oh, the hard times of America...
In America very hard times.”

Soldiers and children are walking the streets
Hoping someone hears the sound of their feet
Left to die with no job or thing to eat
Singing, “Oh, the hard times of America...
In America very hard times.”

The men on the top took the middle from the mass
Doing it to make their pockets grow fast
And dumb us down so that our knowledge can’t last
Singing, “Oh, the hard times of America...
In America very hard times.”

Tent cities remind us of where we are from
Woody knew well any man can become a bum
And so the depression comes around like the sun
Singing, “Oh, the hard times of America...
In America very hard times.”

And now to conclude and to finish my song
Let us hope that these hard times won’t last long
I have a dream that we can alter this song
And sing, “Oh, the good times of America...
In America very good times!”
Singing, “Oh, the good times of America...
In America very good times!”



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