It's hippity-hop to the bucket shop
I lost all my money and now I have flopped
And it's hard times, what a pity, poor boy
It's hard times when you're down and out

Now this is the truth and it certainly exposes
Wall Street proposition, it wasn't all roses
It's hard times, what a pity, poor boy
It's hard times when you're down and out

I've got no silver and I've got no gold
I'm almost naked and it's done turned cold
It's hard times, what a pity poor boy
It's hard times when you're down and out

They catch you with whiskey in your car
You're handicapped and there you are
It's hard times, what a pity, poor boy
It's hard times when you're down and out

You ask that judge to treat you well
You offer a hundred dollars, he'll send you to Atlanta
It's hard times, what a pity, poor boy
It's hard times when you're down and out