The bills are all due and my babies need shoes
But I'm busted
We've had hard times as they close down the mines
We're busted
Got a cow that's gone dry and a hen that won't lay
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
Tomorrow they'll haul I belongs a way
We're busted

Our friends are all leaving this old mining town
They're busted
They're heading up north where there's work to be found
And trusted
Lord I hate to gave up this acre of land
It's been in the family since mining began
But babies get hungry they don't understand
That dad's busted

I called brother Bill for I'd asked for a loan
Busted
Lord, I hate to beg like a dog for a bone
I'm busted
But Bill lost his job then the rents overdue
His wife and his kids are all down with the flu
He said I was thinking of calling on you
I'm busted

Now Lord, I am no thief, but a man to turn bad
When he's busted
My babies ain't well, and it's driving me mad
I'm busted
I'll sale that old green [?] and I'll give up the shack
Oh Billy, oh Suzy help momma get packed
We're heading up north and we ain't coming back
We're busted