Beans, Bacon, and Gravy

I was born long ago, in eighteen ninety four

I've seen many a panic I will own

I've been hungry, I've been cold, and now I'm growin' old

But the worst I've seen is nineteen thirty one

Oh those beans, bacon and gravy, they almost drive me crazy

I eat them 'til I see them in my dreams, In my dreams

When I wake up in the morning and another day is dawning

I know I'll have another mess of beans

Well we congregate each morning, at the county barn at dawning

Everyone is happy so it seems

But when our day's work is done, and we pile in one by one

And thank the Lord for one more mess of beans

Oh those beans, bacon and gravy, they almost drive me crazy

I eat them 'til I see them in my dreams, In my dreams

When I wake up in the morning and another day is dawning

I know I'll have another mess of beans

We've Hooverized on butter, and for milk we've only water

And I haven't seen a steak in many a day

As for pies, cakes and jellies, we substitute sour bellies

For which we work the county road each day

Oh those beans, bacon and gravy, they almost drive me crazy

I eat them 'til I see them in my dreams, In my dreams

When I wake up in the morning and another day is dawning

I know I'll have another mess of beans

If there ever comes a time, when I have more than a dime

They will have to put me under lock and key

For they've had me broke so long

I can only sing this song of the workers and their misery

Oh those beans, bacon and gravy, they almost drive me crazy

I eat them 'til I see them in my dreams, In my dreams

When I wake up in the morning and another day is dawning

I know I'll have another mess of beans