Written by Gillian Welch/Dave Rawling
(capo at 1st fret; C = Db)
C
F C F C
There was a Camptown Man, used to plow and sing
Am C F C
And he loved that mule and the mule loved him
F C F C
When the day got long as it does about now
Am C F C
I'd hear him singing to his mule cow
C
Calling, "Come on my sweet old girl, and I'd bet the whole damn world
C G
That we're gonna make it yet to the end of the road"
Am C/B F C
Singing hard times ain't gonna rule my mind
Am C/B F C
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, Bessie
Am C/B F G C
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more
Said it's a mean old world, heavy in need
That big machine is just a-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 all you Asheville boys and turn up your old-time noise
And kick 'til the dust comes up from the cracks in the floor
Singing, hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, brother
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more
But the Camptown Man, he doesn't plow no more
I seen him walking down to the cigarette store
Guess he lost that knack and he forgot that song
Woke up one morning and the mule was gone
So come on, you ragtime kings, and come on, you dolls, and sing
And pick up the dusty old horn and give it a blow
Playing, hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, honey
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind, sugar
Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind no more