The songs of Andru Bemis are spiritually descended from an era when music was made and played to express one’s deepest emotions while entertaining the neighbors. Bemis is a “traditionalist with a fresh approach and a modern troubadour with deep respect for the roots of his craft. He is a gifted vocalist and instrumentalist. His music speaks to our present condition in language of a gentler past” (Wepecket Island Records). The Birmingham [Ala.] Weekly calls Bemis a “modern-folk, Midwestern miracle of music …. with a voice that is pretty and ravaged, sounding as though 50 Appalachian winters have run him ragged.”
Bemis’ performances traverse the boundaries of age and culture, drawing audiences young and old, gypsies, folksies, punksies, babies, crusties, hillbillies, grannies and more. Children are known to request songs from his albums by track number, punks and rockers ask for soft tunes of unrequited love, and normally staid adults throw inhibitions aside to sing, bark and dance with folks they’ve only just met.
Besides having performed or toured with a good number of highly regarded bands and artists, Andru has collaborated on recordings with world traveling gypsy-punk accordianist Jason Webley, and on Rachel Ries’ critically acclaimed Waterbug Records debut, For You Only, among others. Andru’s three self-produced solo albums receive regular airplay on radio stations throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Rail To Reel, was called the Best Folk Album of 2006 (KDVS-FM; UC-Davis) for its unique instrumentation - including pump organ, banjo-ukulele, and tuba - and for bringing new life to a collection of lesser-known traditional songs learned and adapted by Bemis in his travels.
When he’s not wandering, Andru Bemis returns to his shell - a mid-sized town on an especially large lake in southwest Michigan, where he shares his life with several thousand dusty records, a Singer sewing machine, a creaky rocking chair, and few good books.
*Taken from Andru's own website: http://www.andrubemis.com/
Hard Times
Andru Bemis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And count its many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There's a song that will linger
Forever in our ears
Hard times come again no more
It's the song the sigh of the weary
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Hard times come again no more
While we seek mirth and beauty
And music light and gay
There are frail forms fainting at my door
Though their voices are silent
Their pleading looks will say
Hard times come again no more
It's the song the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Hard times come again no more
There's a pale, drooping maiden
Who toils her life away
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er
Though her voice should be merry
'Tis sighing all the way
Hard times come again no more
It's the song the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Hard times come again no more
It's the song the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Hard times come again no more
Hard times come again no more
Hard times come again no more
The lyrics to Andru Bemis's song "Hard Times" are both melancholy and hopeful, as they acknowledge the pain and struggle in many people's lives while also suggesting that there is a way forward. The first verse acknowledges the presence of sorrow in life and the need to pause and reflect on it, rather than just seeking out pleasure and ignoring the suffering of others. The second verse specifically addresses the "weary" who are struggling with "hard times," suggesting that the song is meant to be a comfort to those who are suffering. The third and fourth verses describe a pale, drooping maiden who is toiling away with a worn heart, and the many voices that are silent but still communicating the message that hard times are present. The refrain repeats the message that hard times will come again no more, offering hope for the future.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the universality of struggle and pain, and the importance of both acknowledging it and finding hope for the future. The repetition of the refrain underscores the importance of this message, suggesting that it is something that people need to hear and internalize in order to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures
Let's take a break from enjoying all the good things in life
And count its many tears
And acknowledge the many hardships and struggles that also exist
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
While we share in the sadness and difficulties faced by those who are less fortunate
There's a song that will linger
There's a powerful and memorable tune
Forever in our ears
That will stay with us for a long time
Hard times, hard times come again no more
We hope that we won't have to endure more difficult circumstances in the future
Many days you have lingered
We've been through a lot already
Around my cabin door
In this rural setting where we have faced many challenges
While we seek mirth and beauty
As we pursue happiness and beautiful things
And music light and gay
And listen to cheerful and upbeat tunes
There are frail forms fainting at my door
There are vulnerable and weak individuals who need our help
Though their voices are silent
Though they may not speak up or ask for assistance
Their pleading looks will say
Their appearance and expressions reveal their need for support
There's a pale, drooping maiden
There's a young woman who looks tired and defeated
Who toils her life away
Who works hard day in and day out
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er
Whose heart is heavy and weary and whose best days are long gone
Though her voice should be merry
Although she may be expected to be happy
Tis sighing all the way
She can only express sadness and disappointment
Hard times come again no more
We hope for better days ahead and that we won't have to face hardships like this again
Hard times come again no more
We repeat this phrase as a way of emphasizing this hope for the future
Hard times come again no more
We repeat it one more time to drive home this message
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.