Times Are Getting Hard

To listen to the song
click below

This very early song (1979) was inspired by the many protest songs of the Depression Era. It seems more relevant again these days.

These times are getting hard, folks
My money's gettin' low
This old town is gettin' me down
Is it something you don't know

I've got some songs to sing and some stories to tell
Thoughts I'd like to share
If you've got the time to sit a spell
If it’s something you can spare

Well, I don't mind working
If I'm working for decent pay
But the rich get richer, the poor get poorer
It’s something I've heard you say

Well I'm payin' more and gettin' less
I know I'm not alone
And they said that talk was cheap these days
Then they came and took out my phone

These times are getting hard, folks
I'm just trying to make my way
Want to live my life peacefully
I don't wanna be rich some day

Well I just wanna do some honest work
Earn a day's pay
And find some meaning in my life
And live from day to day

I can't drive my car or pay the rent
My money is always spent
And I know the money's out there somewhere
But someone is getting more than their share

Well, the government is too busy
To worry about us workin' folks
There's important business in foreign lands
Fighting wars and selling Coke

So, I wrote a letter to my congressman
About my worries by and by
And he said if I didn't stop makin' trouble
He'd send my name to the FBI

These times are getting hard, folks
I'm just trying to make my way
Wanna live my life peacefully
I don't wanna be rich some day

Well, I just wanna do some honest work
Earn a day's pay
And find some meaning in my life
And live from day to day
©Eric Pappas 1979