Hard Time
Cledus T. Judd Lyrics


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Out of work, way too long
Can′t get a job, my money's all gone
Digging for change, down in my couch
Can hardly afford to put food in my mouth

A hard time
I′m having a hard time
Yeah, I been begging all week
For something to eat
And my wife ain't giving me none
I'm having a hard time

I bounced a check, lost my truck
Passing the hat, just my luck
Gas going down, all over town
But I ain′t got nothing to put it in now

A hard time
Aw, I′m having a hard time
I been walking the street
Ain't showered in over a week
And I smell like a bum
I′m having a hard time

(Hey)

Well, a pool in the ground, a trophy wife
That was supposed to be my life
My money's all gone from parody songs
Where in the world did it all go wrong

A hard time
Lord, I′m having a hard time
Yeah I got a big leak in my roof
Can't get any sleep
And it′s coming a flood
I'm having a hard time

I bet you Alan Jackson's done bought the Chattahoochee by now
I can′t even afford a tall, tall tree

No dough, don′t you know
Credit score is awfully low
Cledus T's run is done
Welfare line here I come

A hard time
Lord, I′m having a hard time
Well, my taxes are due in a week
And I sure hate to cheat
But I need a refund
I'm having a hard time

Stimulus check
Where′s it at
Come on Obama
I'm waiting for that
H with an A
R with a D
T to the I
And you′re talking 'bout me

I'm having a hard time
Woo, law, I′m having a hard time
I′m sure up a creek
Without any paddle
And I'm not the only one
Having a hard time

Yeah, I been begging all week
For something to eat
And my wife ain′t giving me none
I'm having a hard time
Lord, a hard time




Yeah, I′m having a hard time
Hard time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cledus T. Judd's song Hard Time depict the struggles of a man who has been out of work for far too long. He is unable to find a job and has run out of money. He is so broke that he has to dig for change in his couch and can hardly afford to put food in his mouth. The man is having a hard time and has been begging for something to eat all week, but even his wife is not helping him out.


The second verse describes how the man has bounced a check and lost his truck. He has been passing the hat for money, but luck has not been on his side. He can't put gas in his car and has nothing to put it in anyway. The man has been walking around for over a week without showering and now smells like a bum. His self-esteem is shattered and he is having a hard time coping with his situation.


This song speaks to the harsh realities of life for many people who are struggling to make ends meet. It highlights the desperation of those who have fallen on hard times and are forced to beg for help. The lyrics also touch on the emotional toll that financial hardship takes on a person's self-esteem and sense of worth. In a society that often equates success with money and possessions, this song reminds us that not everyone is fortunate enough to lead a comfortable life.


Line by Line Meaning

Out of work, way too long
I have been unemployed for an extended period of time.


Can′t get a job, my money's all gone
I am struggling to find a job and have exhausted my savings.


Digging for change, down in my couch
I am so broke that I am resorting to searching my furniture for spare change.


Can hardly afford to put food in my mouth
My financial situation is so dire that I can barely afford to feed myself.


A hard time
I am experiencing a difficult period in my life.


Yeah, I been begging all week
I have been asking for help from others for an extended period of time.


For something to eat
I am struggling to even afford food.


And my wife ain't giving me none
My spouse is not providing any support or assistance.


I bounced a check, lost my truck
I have overdrawn my bank account and had my vehicle repossessed.


Passing the hat, just my luck
I have been asking for money from others, but have had no luck receiving any.


Gas going down, all over town
The cost of gasoline is decreasing everywhere.


But I ain′t got nothing to put it in now
I cannot afford to put any gas in my vehicle.


Aw, I′m having a hard time
I am really struggling right now.


I been walking the street
I am so broke that I have been resorting to walking instead of driving.


Ain't showered in over a week
I have not been able to afford to take a shower in over a week.


And I smell like a bum
As a result of my living situation, I now have an unpleasant odor.


Well, a pool in the ground, a trophy wife
My life used to consist of wealth and status symbols, such as a swimming pool and a wealthy spouse.


That was supposed to be my life
I expected to continue living a luxurious lifestyle.


My money's all gone from parody songs
I had previously made money from writing parody songs, but I have now exhausted those funds.


Where in the world did it all go wrong
I am now reflecting on how my life has taken such a severe turn for the worse.


Lord, I′m having a hard time
I am praying for assistance during this tough time in my life.


Yeah I got a big leak in my roof
I am dealing with a significant issue in my living situation, as my roof is leaking.


Can't get any sleep
As a result of the leak in my roof, I am having trouble sleeping at night.


And it′s coming a flood
The leak is so severe that it is causing flooding in my home.


No dough, don′t you know
I have no money whatsoever.


Credit score is awfully low
My credit score has plummeted due to my financial struggles.


Cledus T's run is done
I have hit rock bottom and can no longer continue living my life as I have been.


Welfare line here I come
I am now considering applying for government assistance in order to survive.


Well, my taxes are due in a week
I have an upcoming deadline to pay my taxes.


And I sure hate to cheat
I am struggling to resist the temptation to cheat on my taxes due to my financial struggles.


But I need a refund
I am counting on receiving a refund in order to improve my financial situation.


Stimulus check
I am hoping to receive financial assistance from the government's stimulus program.


Where′s it at
I am anxiously waiting to receive my stimulus check.


Come on Obama
I am pleading with the government to send out the stimulus checks as soon as possible.


H with an A
Referring to the abbreviation for the House of Representatives.


R with a D
Referring to the abbreviation for the Senate, which is controlled by the Democratic Party.


T to the I
Referring to the abbreviation for the U.S. Treasury, which is responsible for distributing stimulus checks.


And you′re talking 'bout me
Despite the government's continued promises to help those in need, I am still struggling to make ends meet.


Woo, law, I′m having a hard time
I am experiencing significant challenges and difficulties in my life.


I′m sure up a creek
I am in a very difficult and precarious situation.


Without any paddle
I am without resources or assistance to navigate my current struggles.


And I'm not the only one
Others are also experiencing similar difficulties and challenges in their lives.


Hard time
I am going through an incredibly difficult and trying period of my life.




Writer(s): Alan Jackson

Contributed by Samuel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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