Title: American Old Time Song Lyrics
Subject: Traditional & Folk Music
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Old time music, American, oldtimey, bluegrass

The Bank Has Failed To-day - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
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.