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 it 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...
Hush-a-bye baby don't cry no more...