Hard Time Hungrys

(Shel Silverstein)



There's an old man sittin' in a rented room

Sittin' and watchin' the wall

Tryin' to remember the good ole days

And wonderin' why the kids don't call.



They used to go drivin' in the summer sun

When his woman was alive

Now he reads his Gideon Bible and waits

For his welfare check to arrive.



He got the hard time hungrys

Doin' the best that he can

Lord, the hard time hungrys

Are spreadin' all over the land.



There's a Tennessee housewife shoppin' in the market

Wearin' her last used jeans

She picks up a roast then changes her mind

Puts it back down and buys some more beans.



Her old man's workin' in the filling station

And what's he gonna say

When he sits down to a table full of nothin'

After workin' like a dog all day.



He got the hard time hungrys

Doin' the best that they can

I see the hard time hungrys

Spreadin' all over the land.



A Mississippi farmer he's watchin' the sky

Wondering if it's gonna rain

The payment's due on the tractor Lord

And the subsidy's been taken away.



And in New York City a taxicab driver

Screams at the world outside

'Cause it sure is hot and nobody's got

The money for a cross town ride.



Lord, they got the hard time hungrys

Doin' the best that they can

I see the hard time hungrys

Spreadin' all over the land.



Now I ain't no preacher and I ain't no teacher

But one thing's sure as the sun

If the dollar keeps a droppin' and prices keep a risin'

The worst is yet to come.



We got the hard time hungrys

I feel it touchin' my hand

Lord, I see the hard time hungrys

Spreadin' all over the land.



Yes, I see the hard time hungrys

Spreadin' all over the land...