My mother told me 'fore she passed away
Said, "Son, when I'm gone don't you forget to pray
'Cause there'll be hard time"
Lord, those hard times, and who knows better than I?

I soon found out just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes just to pay the rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord, those hard times, who knows better than I?

I had a woman who was always around
When I lost my money, she put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord, those hard times, who knows better than I?

Lord, in one of these days, there'll be no more sorrow
Then when I pass away an' no more time
No more time, who knows better than I?