Times Ain't Like They Used To Be- Ashley/Foster (NC) 1933 REC
[From: Tom Ashley & Gwen Foster 'Times Ain't Like They Used To Be' recorded on 8 September 1933 in NYC and issued as Vocalion 02554 in December 1933. Transcribed from reissue on Clarence 'Tom' Ashley 'Greenback Dollar' County CO-CD-3520
R. Matteson 2017]
Clarence 'Tom' Ashley recorded it with Gwen Foster under the title of 'Times Ain't Like They Used To Be' and, not surprisingly, it shared stanzas with the Byrd Moore recording. This title has inspired a series of rural music compilations in the Yazoo 2000 series - they are up to volume 6 now with this title.
TIMES AIN'T LIKE THEY USED TO BE
Times ain't like they used to be
Times ain't like they used to be
Times ain't like they used to be
Carry me back to Tennessee
I wish that eastbound train would run
I wish that eastbound train would run
I wish that eastbound train would run
And carry me back where I come from
Times ain't like they used to be
Times ain't like they used to be
Times ain't like they used to be
Carry me back to Tennessee
I used to be a brakeman on the train
I used to be a brakeman on the train
I used to be a brakeman on the train
Now I have to wear this ball and chain