Here's a facinating mention of the connection between this and Hard, hard times:

http://www.nebraskahistory.org/museum/teachers/material/nebdata/book3.pdf (google HTMLized copy):

Quoting the relevant part:

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Hard Times

The cynical ballad, "Hard Times," was recovered by L. C. Wimberly, Professor of English at the University of Nebraska, and editor of Prairie Schooner, from Miss Ruby Beaty of Wilcox, Nebraska. While widely sung in other states it belongs and is a part of Nebraska's early pioneer atmosphere.

Come listen a while and I'll sing you a song,
Concerning the times--it will not be long--
When everybody is striving to buy,
And cheating each other, I cannot tell why;
And it's hard, hard times.

From father to mother, from sister to brother,
From cousin to cousin, they're cheating each other;
Since cheating has grown to be the fashion,
I believe to my soul it will ruin the nation;
And it's hard, hard times.

Now, there is a the talker, by talking he eats,
And so does the butcher, by killing his meats;
He'll toss the steel yards and weigh it right down,
And swear it's just right if it lacks forty pounds;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there is the merchant, as honest we're told;
Whatever he sells you, my friend, you are sold;
Believe what I tell you and don't be surprised
If you find yourself cheated half out of your eyes;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there is the lawyer, you plainly will see,
He'll plead your case for a very large fee;
He'll law you and tell you the wrong side is right,
And make you believe that a black horse is white;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there is the doctor, I like to forgot--
I believe to my soul he's the worst of the lot!
He'll tell you he'll cure you for half you possess,
And when you are buried he'll take all the rest;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there's the old bachelor all hated with scorn;
He's like an old garment all tattered and torn;
The girls and the widows all toss him a sigh;
And think it's quite right, and so do I;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there's the young widow, coquettish and shy,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye;
But when she gets married she'll cut quite a dash;
She'll give him the reins and she'll handle the cash;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there's the young lady, I liked to have missed
I believe to my soul she'd like to be kissed.
She'll tell you she loves you with all pretence,
And ask you to call again sometime hence;
And it's hard, hard times.

And there's the young man, the worst of the whole;
He will tell you he loves you with all of his soul.
He will tell you he loves you, for you he will die,
And when he's away he will swear it's a lie;
And it's hard, hard times.

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The lawyer and doctor verses are nearly exactly what I found in RUS. The other's are simply great. ;-)