Some kids born with a silver spoon
  I guess that I was born a little too soon
    Hard knocks, all I ever knew was hard knocks
  And I'm telling you, I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share
    Some kids born as rich as a king
  But I was born without a doggone thing
    Hard knocks, all I ever knew was hard knocks
  And I'm telling you, I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share
    I walked a million miles I bet
  Tired and hungry and cold and wet
  I've heard that lonesome whistle blow
  From New York City down to Mexico
  Some kids born fancy free
  Nobody never gave nothing to me but
    Hard knocks, all I ever knew was hard knocks
  And I'm telling you, I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share
    I walked a million miles I bet
  Tired and hungry and cold and wet
  I've heard that lonesome whistle blow
  From New York City down to Mexico
  Some kids born fancy free
  Nobody never gave nothing to me but
    Hard knocks, all I ever knew was hard knocks
  And I'm telling you, I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share
  I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share
  I said you'd better beware
  'Cause I've had my share of hard knocks