American Old Time Song Lyrics: 30 The Bank Has Failed To Day
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 30
THE BANK HAS FAILED TO-DAY.
Copyright, 1890, by T. B. Harms &. Co.
Words and Music by Chas. Graham.
One morning I was strolling thro' the city's busy street,
Observing all the sights that pass'd along,
And as I slowly wander'd on, a crowd I chanced to meet
Outside a large stone building, grim and strong;
The doors were closed, the blinds were down, policemen stood around,
And vainly tried to keep the crowd away;
A notice that was posted up explained it all, I found,
In simple words, "The bank is closed to-day."
Refrain.
The savings of a life-time, of a mother for her child, I
The fortunes of the rich, the great and gay;
The reward of great careers, and of the labor's thrifty years,
Are gone at last, "The bank has failed to-day!"
I watched a while the people, and I saw their sad despair,
As each one read the notice on the door;
They scanned the paper over, but no word of hope was there,
Just one short line they saw, and nothing more;
Some slowly walked away at last to tell the story home,
And others in the crowd a while would stay;
They watch'd and waited vainly for other news to come.
But that was all, "The bank is closed to-day." -Refrain.
I thought of all the comforts that were swept away by greed,
The vanished hope of many happy lives;
The wives and widow'd mothers who were placed in want and need,
While on their all some rogue in splendor thrives!
I saw the curse that gold can bring when av'rice rules the man.
The greed that passes conscience by the way;
While those who trusted blindly take such comfort as they can
When told at lust, "The bank has failed to-day." -Refrain.