It's hard times in the Fort Smith jail,

voiceCollected by Parler and O'Bryant Mr. Otis Bird Marshall, Ark July 26, 1958 Reel 357, Item 9 The Fort Smith Jail Come all you people, I'll tell you a tale, It' s how they feed in the Fort. Smith jail And it's hard times, poor boy It's hard times in the Fort Smith jail, It's hard times,poor boy. For supper they'll give you a piece of twice twine (sic) They'll tell you that'll do you till the next day at nine It's hard times poor boy. (Refrain) For breakfast they'll give you four biscuits a piece, A cup of cold coffee and a fat piece of beef, And it's hard times, poor boy. Refrain Oh prisoner, oh prisoner, oh tell me what you know, And it's over the road I'll see you won't go, And it's hard times, poor boy. Refrain Oh jailor, oh jailor, you know mighty well, Before I give over I'll see you in hell, And it's hard, times, poor boy. Refrain Oh jailor, oh jailor, oh lend me your knife, These dirty bedbugs has threatened my life, And it's hard times, poor boy. Refrain These dirty red rugs Eat up with these dirty bedbugs, It's hard times, poor boy Refrain The nits and the lice, they climb to the j'ist, They won't come down for the six-bit price, It's hard times, poor boy. RefrainFunding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation