Hard Times
Black Mary 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
Black Mary's song "Hard Times" is a poignant reflection on the hardships faced by people who live in poverty. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the song captures the struggles and injustices faced by the poor, while also expressing a universal desire for relief from suffering. The opening lines urge us to take a moment to reflect on the many hardships faced by those less fortunate, while also emphasizing the importance of solidarity and compassion.
The recurring refrain, "Hard times, come again no more," expresses a longing for an end to suffering and struggle. The song acknowledges the universal desire for beauty, music, and joy, but also highlights that many people are too consumed by poverty to enjoy these luxuries. The image of "frail forms fainting at the door" underscores the idea that poverty can be physically and emotionally debilitating, while also emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The lyrics also describe the personal toll of poverty, focusing on the experiences of an individual woman who has "worn out her heart" and "foiled her life away." Despite her efforts to remain cheerful, her voice is filled with sighs and her days are consumed by hardship. Through this narrative, the song highlights the ways in which poverty can rob individuals of their dignity and joy, while also emphasizing the need for empathy and support.
Overall, Black Mary's "Hard Times" is a powerful and emotionally resonant song that explores the harsh realities of life in poverty. Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and narrative, it underscores the importance of compassion, solidarity, and empathy in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Let's take a break from enjoying our lives and acknowledge the suffering that exists
While we all sup sorrow with the poor.
We are all experiencing hardship with the less fortunate
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears,
There is a tune that will always remind us of these struggles
Oh, hard times, come again no more
Please, let us not have to endure these tough times anymore
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
This is a melody that embodies the exhaustion we all feel
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
We've been dealing with these hardships for a long time
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay.
Despite our desire for happiness and beauty, there is still suffering
There are frail forms fainting at the door
There are vulnerable people who are struggling right outside
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say,
Even if they don't speak up, their eyes still show their hardship
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
There is a woman who is wasting away, losing hope
With a worn out heart, whose better days are o'er.
Her heart is exhausted and her good days are in the past
Though her voice it would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Even though she could be happy, she is constantly struggling
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
@TodayFreedom
One of my absolute favourite songs of all time. Of any genre. When you consider the death rate and poverty at the time Foster wrote this song it takes on a profoundly more moving impact. It’s no coincidence that this “sounds Irish”- Foster’s heritage (and musical heritage) was from Ulster.
@stephenold
I first heard this on the TV program Bringing It All Back Home. They performed it in New York with Afro-American musicians. It blew me away!
@zenden6584
I love “Sonny” done with Mary Black , Dolores Keane and Emmylou Harris it’s one of the best ❤️
@tjwash5118
I was fortunate enough to attend Austin City Limits “songwriter’s circle” featuring Emmylou Harris, Patti Griffin, Bud and Julie Miller, Dave Matthews, and a brief appearance by Mary Black. What an amazing night!
@bertspeggly4428
Well done guys! You have the correct harmony for the word "weary", most performances miss it.
@larryc3860
what glorious voices ! a wonderful arrangement of the SC Foster classic
@zenden6584
Two legends amazing voices just beautiful 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️❤️❤️
@1earflapping
The late Eighties and early Nineties—when Mary Black was at the very peak of physical beauty. I’m still spellbound by her looks then. Those eyes! I realize this isn’t related to music, but hey, I’m human.
But yes, both singers are spectacular.
@TheJanglecrow
Powerful performance. Learn the words. It's a sigh that is wafted across the trouble waves. It's a wail that's heard upon the shore.
@feg953
Beautiful rendition of the old song. Thanks for posting this! Love it, from Tennessee, USA!