When I was a rounder I stopped in New Orleans 'Cause I've had long days away from home I didn't know nobody that I seen I's walkin' along the street one day I didn't mean no harm The police is up and they seen me And they began to make their laws Ain't it hard, ain't it hard Just lookin' through the bars? The police looked an seen me And they began to make their laws They seen I was a stranger They soon got on my trail Soon they had me surrounded And taked me to the city jail Now, ain't it hard, ain't it hard Just lookin' through the bars? Soon they had me surrounded And taked me to the city jail When I got in jail, I Didn't know what to do There was no one I knew I could carry my troubles to Now, ain't it hard, ain't it hard Just lookin' through the bars? There was no one I knew I could carry my troubles to I invited you write my dear old mother It made her lonesome and blue Tell you needn't no worry Mother's comin' after you Now ain't it grand, ain't it grand? I don't see how she can stand She said, 'Son, you needn't t' worry Mother's comin' after you'.