I'm working my way up to the Rufus & Ben Quillan version; I thought I'd get some easier versions out of the way first. I realize these may not be the same song at all, just songs that happen to have the same or similar titles.


ALL IN, DOWN AND OUT BLUES (2:31)
As recorded by Uncle Dave Macon, 1937.

1. It is hippity hop to the bucket shop.
I lost all my money and now I have flopped.

CHORUS: It's hard times, pitiful* boy.
It's hard times, when you down and out.

2. Well, this is the truth and it cert'nly exposes,
Wall Street proposition was not all roses.

3. I put up my money to win some more.
I lost all I had and it left me so sore.

4. I thought I would drink to wear it off.
Bootleg so high that it left me worse off.

5. If they catch you with whiskey in your car,
You're handicapped and there you are.

6. They'll take you to jail and if you can't make bond,
Content yourself there, boy; you're cert'nly at home.

7. I've got no silver 'n' I've got no gold.
I'm almost naked and it done turned cold.

8. You ask that judge to treat you well.
You're all(?) for a hundred dollars, he'll send you to Atlanta.

*
The above recording appears on the albums:
"Hooked on Country Classics, Vol. 10"
"Hooked on Country Classics, Vol. 38"
"Legends Series Presents: The Voice of the Century, Uncle Dave Macon"
"Poor Man's Heaven: Blues and Tales of the Great Depression – When the Sun Goes Down Series"
"The Very Best of Uncle Dave Macon"

The following shorter version (1:11) appears on "Uncle Dave at Home."
*

1. It is hippity hop to the bucket shop.
I lost all my money and now I have flopped.

CHORUS: It's hard times, pitiful* boy.
It's hard times, when you down and out.

2. I've got no silver 'n' I've got no gold.
My clothes all ragged and it done turned cold.

3. Catch you with whiskey in your car,
You're handicapped, and there you are.

4. You ask that judge to treat you well.
You're all(?) for a hundred dollars, he'll send you to Atlanta.


* "Pitiful" is somewhat ambiguous; Steve James on "American Primitive" sings "pity poor boy", and Hesperus & Mike Seeger on "Crossing Over" sings "ain't it, poor boy?"