Now go call the fire department : for my house is burning
down
You know that must be little Martha Hardin : because it's
on the north side of town
I said the people is running : and I wonder who could it
be
You know that must be little Martha Hardin : I saw them
turn down on Wilson Street
When you see the chief : boys please clear the street
Because you know he's going down : save little Martha
Hardin's house for me
She's a hard‑working woman : you know her salary is very
small
Then when she pay up her house rent : that don't leave
anything for insurance at all
Now I wrote little Martha a letter : five days it
returned back to me
You know little Martha Hardin's house done burnt down :
she done moved on Bathurst Street