In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)
Dolly Parton · The Tour Collection [2008]
We'd get up before sun-up to get the work done up
We'd work in the fields till the sun had gone down
We've stood and we've cried as we have bristly watched
A hailstorm a' beatin' our crops to the ground
We've gone to bed hungry many nights in the past
In the good old days when times were bad.
Chorus:
No amount of money could buy from me
The memories that I have of then
No amount of money could pay me
To go back and live through it again.
--- Instrumental ---
I've seen daddy's hands break open and bleed
And I've seen him work 'til he's stiff as a board
An' I've seen momma layin' in suffer and sickness
In need of a doctor we couldn't afford
Anything at all was more than we had
In the good old days when times were bad.
We've got up before and found ice on the floor
Where the wind would blow snow through the cracks in the wall
And I couldn't enjoy then, havin' a boyfriend
I had nothing decent to wear at all
So I long for a love that I never had
In the good old days when times were bad.
Chorus:
No amount of money could buy from me
The memories that I have of then
No amount of money could pay me
To go back and live through it again.
In the good old days when times were bad.
In the good old days when times were bad...
In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)
Dolly Parton's 'In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)' stands as a poignant addition to her extensive discography, reflecting her signature ability to blend traditional country storytelling with emotional depth. Recorded for 'The Tour Collection [2008]', the track exemplifies her enduring commitment to themes of resilience and nostalgia, characteristic of her work spanning decades. The song captures the universal human experience of longing for simpler times while acknowledging the hardships that define life's journey. Parton's vocal delivery remains a masterclass in country music, delivering lyrics that resonate with listeners across generations. This recording continues to showcase her status as a cultural icon whose contributions to the genre remain influential and timeless.