I was born long ago, in eighteen ninety four I've seen many a panic I will own I've been hungry, I've been cold, and now I'm growin' old But the worst I've seen is nineteen thirty one
Oh those beans, bacon and gravy They almost drive me crazy I eat them 'til I see them in my dreams In my dreams When I wake up in the morning And another day is dawning I know I'll have another mess of beans
Well we congregate each morning, at the county barn at dawning Everyone is happy so it seems But when our day's work is done, and we pile in one by one And thank the Lord for one more mess of beans
Chorus
We've Hooverized on butter, and for milk we've only water And I haven't seen a steak in many a day As for pies, cakes and jellies, we substitute sour bellies For which we work the county road each day
Chorus
If there ever comes a time, when I have more than a dime They will have to put me under lock and key For they've had me broke so long, I can only sing this song Of the workers and their misery