Many years you have lingered around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more
Oh hard times come again no more

Oh hush-a-bye hard times, go ye away
'Cause my hungry baby wants a gingerbread cake
Not a cow in the barnyard, no money to spend
Not an egg in the hayloft, no little red hen

So hush-a-bye baby, don't cry no more
Your mama can't give you what you're crying for
There's a wolf at the door with an angry cold hungry stare
He keeps howling of hard times and the cupboard is bare

Oh hush-a-bye hard times, go ye to rest
'Cause my ragged baby wants a new ruffled dress
And she wants some new shoes with buckles to wear
And she wants some silver bows for her golden hair

So hush-a-bye baby, don't cry no more
Your mama can't give you what you're crying for
There's a wolf at the door with an angry cold hungry stare
He keeps howling of hard times and the cupboard is bare

Hush-a-bye baby, don't cry no more
Your mama can't give you what you're crying for
Hush-a-bye hard times go ye away
I don't intend to be treated this way
So hush-a-bye baby
Hush-a-bye hard times
Hush-a-bye baby
Don't cry no more
Hush-a-bye hard times
Hush-a-bye baby
Hush-a-bye hard times
Come ye no more

Many years you have lingered around my cabin door
Hush-a-bye hard times
Come ye no more
Hush-a-bye baby
Hush-a-bye hard times
Hush-a-bye baby
Don't cry no more
Hush-a-bye hard times
Hush-a-bye baby
Hush-a-bye hard times
Come ye no more