Mr. Baker used to be a big executive
Now he's selling apples on the corner
Paper says that things are getting better
Maybe pretty soon
Hard times be over

Used to be a time when there was a dividing line
Between the pigs in mud and those in clover
Paper says that things are getting better
Maybe pretty soon
Hard times be over

I just got a letter from a fella that I used to know
Cleaned up in the market but the crash hit him hard
Now he's selling papers on a small town avenue
Had to sell his house and wife and even his dog

Picket lines and bread lines and buddy, do you have a dime?
Even corner drunks are getting sober
Paper says that things are getting better
Maybe pretty soon
Hard times be over

I just got a letter from a fella that I used to know
Cleaned up in the market but the crash hit him hard
Now he's selling papers on a small town avenue
Had to sell his house and wife and even his dog

Picket lines and bread lines and buddy, do you have a dime?
Even corner drunks are getting sober
Paper says that things are getting better
Maybe pretty soon
Hard times be over

Paper says that things are getting better
Maybe pretty soon
Hard times be over