Hard Times Come Again No More
Ann and Kate McGarrigle Lyrics
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While we all sup sorrow with the poor.
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears,
Oh, hard times, come again no more
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
Hard times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay.
There are frail forms fainting at the door
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say,
Oh, hard times, come again no more.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
Hard times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
Oh, hard times, come again no more.
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
With a worn out heart, whose better days are o'er.
Though her voice it would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Oh, hard times, come again no more.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
Hard times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
Oh, hard times, come again no more.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
Hard times, hard times, come again no more.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
Oh, hard times, come again no more
These lyrics from Ann and Kate McGarrigle's song "Hard Times Come Again No More" speak to the harsh reality that not everyone experiences the joys and pleasures of life. The song encourages listeners to pause and consider the many tears and sorrows that exist in the world, particularly those of the poor and marginalized. The first stanza sets the scene, calling on listeners to reflect on these struggles and listen to a song that will stay with them forever.
The second stanza goes deeper and recognizes that while some may seek only mirth and beauty, there are others who are suffering and in need. The song addresses these people directly, acknowledging that even if their voices may be silent, their looks and actions speak volumes - they are calling out for relief from their struggles. The final stanza focuses specifically on a pale, drooping maiden whose life has been worn out and whose heart is heavy with the weight of her struggles. Her voice may have once been merry, but now it is filled with sighs and sadness. The song offers her, and all those who suffer, a simple message - hard times, come again no more.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Let's take a break from enjoying life and realize the pain that exists alongside it.
While we all sup sorrow with the poor.
We all experience sadness, but those in poverty are forced to face it more often.
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears,
This song will continue to be remembered and passed down through generations.
Oh, hard times, come again no more
We hope that difficult times cease to exist.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
This is a song that expresses the sadness and exhaustion of those who have suffered.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
Hard times have been a frequent visitor to my life.
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay.
We often search for happiness through enjoyable and carefree moments.
There are frail forms fainting at the door
However, there are vulnerable individuals struggling and suffering nearby.
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say,
Even if they cannot express their pain, their expressions reveal their suffering.
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
There is a girl who is slowly losing her vitality and is wasting her life.
With a worn out heart, whose better days are o'er.
Her heart is tired and she has lost the good times she once had.
Though her voice it would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Even though she may try to put on a happy front, she cries all day.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
The song repeats the lament of those who have suffered.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
Hard times have frequently visited this individual.
Oh, hard times, come again no more.
May difficult times cease to exist for this person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY ROBERT ROSSINGTON, GRANT RICHARD KWIECINSKI, RONNIE VAN ZANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@4houndswhoheal479
Emmy Lou & Mary Black singing together could only be conceive in Heaven.
@rfish54
Canada is wide and full of many people. Not everyone knows the McGarrigle sisters. I count it a special place in my heart to know their music. It is a quiet peace to understand the deepest reaches they make to one's heart. I will miss Kate McGarrigle who sang her heart string. "Oh hard times come again no more." RIP Kate McGarrigle,
@johnprovince5304
My great grandmother was born in 1880 and sang this to me in the early 1960's. She must have learned it from her mother who would have been a contemporary of Stephen Foster. From the 1840's directly to me. Her daughter, my grandmother turned 100 in June, 2019. Amazing.
@zappajohn
+John Province Fantastic.
@Baldrick344
I am a big fan of Stephen Foster, and now of the McGarrigles. We are so lucky they never changed to appeal to the mass market
@EnoVarma
Shame that the mass market didn't change to be appealed by the McGarrigles.
@grizzlybear4
What a wonderful story.
@williemoon7522
that`s a great reach back ,, my fathers mother was born in 1879 .. i remember her a bit ,
@randybailin4902
Beautiful performance. Mary Black's voice is one of the most beautiful ever. I go back and forth between this version and the amazing Tommy Fleming version.
@undurraga1
I just can not let this version of this song go,,thus version is much more special and warm than the one on the record. I simply have no words.