I was down and I cried, my soda cake wouldn't crumble nice I was down and I cried, my soda cake won't crumble nice And it's tough to see a man go to the rack and almost starve and die I stood on the corner and I almost bust my head I stood on the corner and almost bust my head I couldn't earn enough money to buy me a loaf of bread Baby, times is so hard I almost call it tough I said, babe, times is so hard I almost call it tough I can't earn money to buy no bread and you know I can't buy my snuff My gal's a housemaid and she earns a dollar a week I said, my gal's a housemaid and she earns a dollar a week And I'm so hungry on payday I can hardly speak Now gather 'round me people, let me tell you a true fact I said, gather 'round me people and let me tell you a true fact That tough luck has struck me and the rats is sleepin' in my hat