Oh, the times, they are hard, and the wages are poor
None of us poor fellows have money in store
So how can a good man keep the wolf from the door?
Poor fellows, we all will go down

When work it is scarce, tell me, how can we eat?
How can we afford to buy shoes for our feet?
How can we get clothing to keep off the sleet?
Poor fellows, we might as well drown

If we could find labour, we ne'er would complain
We'd work well for a master, his favour to gain
We'd be honest and faithful with never a stain
But, poor fellows, how will we survive?

We could plough the good land and we could fish the salt sea
We could work in the woodland, a-felling of trees
But when only the breath of our bodies is free
Poor fellows, can we stay alive?

Now a man that is single, he's free of all care
He can soon leave a district if no work be there
There's no manner of hardship that he cannot bear
Poor fellows, if he is alone

But a man with a family, his hands, they are tied
He must look to their comfort or lose all his pride
He can't wander away but must stay by their side
Poor fellow, and maintain his home
Oh, a man that is willing can't understand why
He can find no employment, how hard he may try
And it break his poor heart for to see his wife cry
Poor fellow, he'll do what he can

And a man that is desperate and can't find a job
He will not be contended to sit home and sob
Be he ever so honest, he'll turn out and rob
Poor fellow, to prove he's a man

If a good man go robbing, you know it's a shame
He brings scorn and misfortune on his honest name
But in pitiful straits, tell me, who is to blame?
Poor fellow, you know he must try

Let us hope that these hard times, they soon pass away
All unto our sweet saviour we earnestly pray
That this dark cloudy morn bring a glorious day
Poor fellows, some time ere we die