Monica Grabin: Music/Programs

From the singing of the Bentley Boys. I learned this from a recording that was in the AV room of my high school library. I used to go in there with headphones and rock out on old-time music. I just loved the upbeat delivery of the truly awful situation, which is so typical of old-timey songs.

LYRICS

Come, you ladies and you gentlemen, and listen to my song.
I'll sing it to you right, but you might think it's wrong.
May make you mad, but I mean no harm;
It's just about the renters on Penney's farm.
It's hard times in the country, down on Penney's farm.

Now, you move out on Penney's farm,
Plant a little crop o' baccer and a little crop o' corn,
Come along to see you, gonna plit and plot,
And put a chattel mortgage on everything you've got.
It's hard times in the country, down on Penney's farm.

Haven't old George Penney got a flattering mouth?
Gonna move you to the country in a little log house.
Ain't no windows but the cracks in the wall,
He'll work you in the summer and he'll starve you in the fall.
It's hard times in the country, down on Penney's farm.

Now, George Penney's renters go into town,
With their hands in their pockets and their heads hanging down,
Go to the merchant and the merchant will say:
"Your mortgage is due, and I'm lookin' for my pay."
It's hard times in the country, down on Penney's farm.

Then it's down in the pocket with a trembling hand,
"I can't pay you now, but I'll pay you when I can."
Then to the telephone, the merchant makes a call,
He'll put you on a chain gang (if) you can't pay at all.
It's hard times in the country, down on Penney's farm.