[Verse 1] There was a Camptown man, used to plow and sing He loved that mule and the mule loved him And when the day got long as it does about now Id hear him singing to his muley cow Calling, Come on my sweet old girl Id bet the whole damn world Were gonna make it yet to the end of the row [Chorus] Singing, hard times aint gonna rule my mind Hard times aint gonna rule my mind, Bessie Hard times aint gonna rule my mind no more [Verse 2] Said its a mean old world, heavy in need That big machine is just picking up speed They were supping on tears they were supping on wine We all get to heaven in our own sweet time So come on all you Asheville boys Turn up your oldtime noise Kick til the dust comes up from the cracks in the floor [Chorus] Singing, hard times aint gonna rule my mind, brother Hard times aint gonna rule my mind Hard times aint gonna rule my mind no more [Verse 3] But the Camptown man doesnt plow no more I seen him walking down to the cigarette store I guess he lost that knack he forgot that song Woke up one morning and his mule was gone So come on you ragtime kings Come on you dogs and sing Pick up the dusty old horn and give it a blow [Chorus] Playing hard times aint gonna rule my mind, honey Hard times aint gonna rule my mind, sugar Hard times aint gonna rule my mind no more
rule, hard, mind, supping, camptown