Black was born into a musical family. Her father had been a fiddler, her mother a singer, and her brothers have their own group. She sang in her family's group in her youth.
In 1975 Black joined a small folk band called General Humbert, with whom she toured Europe and released two albums, in 1975 and 1978. In 1982 she developed a professional relationship with musician/producer Declan Sinnott and recorded her first solo album, Mary Black.
She went on to play in other groups including the traditional Irish band De Dannan from 1984-1986. After 1986 she had a successful solo career where she went on to try contemporary styles ranging from jazz to country. She was named "Best Female Artist" in the IRMA poll in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994 and 1996.
She is married to Joe O'Reilly of Dara Records and they have three children. Her son Danny is a member of the Irish rock band The Coronas, while her daughter Róisín is performing under the name Róisín O.
For a number of years, "What Hi-Fi?" magazine considered Black's voice to be so pure that it was used as an audiophile benchmark for comparing the sound quality of different high fidelity systems.
Discography
* 1983 Mary Black
* 1984 Collected
* 1985 Without the Fanfare
* 1987 By the Time it Gets Dark
* 1989 No Frontiers
* 1991 Babes in the Wood
* 1992 The Collection
* 1993 The Holy Ground
* 1995 Circus
* 1997 Shine
* 1999 Speaking with the Angel
* 2001 The Best of Mary Black 1991-2001 & Hidden Harvest
* 2003 Mary Black Live
* 2005 Full Tide
* 2008 Twenty-Five Years Twenty-Five Songs
* 2011 Stories from the Steeples
Hard Times
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Mary Black's song "Hard Times" captures the essence of the struggles and hardships of a society facing poverty and misery. The song urges listeners to reflect upon their own blessings and appreciate life's pleasures while being mindful of those who suffer in hardship. The opening lyric, "Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears," suggests that in the midst of enjoying the luxuries and happiness of life, we should take a moment to consider those who are struggling to make ends meet. Black's melancholic voice beautifully captures the depth of emotions felt by those who face hard times.
The song's chorus, "Hard times, hard times, come again no more," serves as a plea to the heavens to ease the suffering of those facing hardship. The lyrics also highlight that despite their resilience, even the strongest and bravest among us fall prey to the hardships of life. The mournful, soulful tone of the song evokes a powerful sense of empathy for those who have been subjected to the trials and tribulations of difficult times.
In conclusion, Mary Black's "Hard Times" is a haunting tribute to the struggles and the hardships of life in a society plagued by poverty, despair, and misery. The lyrics highlight the importance of empathy and compassion for those who suffer in challenging times, and the chorus serves as a call to arms to abolish the plagues that threaten human survival.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Let us take a moment to appreciate our own lives, but also recognize the struggles and hardships of others.
While we all sup sorrow with the poor.
Despite our own challenges, we all share in the collective difficulties of those less fortunate.
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears,
This song serves as a reminder of the tough times that have already occurred, and the potential for more hardship in the future.
Oh, hard times, come again no more
The repeated refrain implies a desperate plea for times to improve and for suffering to end.
'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary.
This song is a representation of the exhaustion felt by those who have struggled long-term with poverty and hardship.
Many days you have lingered all around my door.
The presence of hard times and poverty is persistent and inescapable in this person's life.
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay.
In spite of the prevalence of suffering, it is still important to find joy and happiness where we can.
There are frail forms fainting at the door
The presence of poverty and illness is physically and emotionally draining, causing individuals to become weak.
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say,
The impact of poverty and hardships can often be seen in a person's eyes, and the pain is communicated through their expression.
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
This line depicts a young woman who has given up hope and is wasting away due to the challenges she faces.
With a worn out heart, whose better days are o'er.
Her spirit is broken, and the past joys and pleasures of life are but a distant memory.
Though her voice it would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Even in moments of supposed happiness, the weight of her suffering is so heavy that it cannot be overcome.
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!