Jones began performing in 1997, debuting at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA, but he soon relocated to Nashville. In 2000 he released Nowhere Else But Here followed by an EP, For the Road, in 2003. Released in 2006, Throwing Punches in the Dark was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Star) and met with high critical praise. Jones re-teamed with Hubbard for Swallow the Sea, which was released in 2008. His music has found a home on Film and TV with over 30 placements on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Bones, One Tree Hill, Pretty Liars & Private Practice.
MPJ has shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Paula Cole, as well as being a staple feature in the nationally acclaimed "Ten Out of Tenn. Collective" with fellow artists, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle and others.
Jones released his third full-length record, Land of the Living, on May 29, 2012.
Jones released The Waking Hours in September 2018.
Website https://www.mpjmusic.com/
Hard Times
Matthew Perryman Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There's a song it will linger forever in our ears
Oh! Hard Times come again no more
It's the song, and the sigh of the weary
Oh! hard times, Hard Times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin 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
It's the song, and the sigh of the weary
Oh! hard times, Hard Times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
With the worn out heart whose better days are o'er
Though her voice would be merry, its sighing all the day
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.
It's the song, and the sigh of the weary
Oh! hard times, Hard Times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more
The lyrics of this song by Matthew Perryman Jones speak to the experience of living through difficult times. The first verse suggests that in order to fully appreciate the good things in life, we must also acknowledge and empathize with those who are suffering. The second and third verses describe the contrast between those who are able to enjoy the pleasures of life and those who are struggling to survive.
The chorus of the song, "Oh! hard times, Hard Times, come again no more," repeats the hope that the difficult moments will come to an end. The lines "It's the song, and the sigh of the weary" suggest that the shared experience of hardship is something that people can bond over, through music and empathy.
The final verse introduces a character, a "pale drooping maiden," who is a victim of hard times herself. The repetition of the word "sighing" in this verse emphasizes the sense of weariness and exhaustion that comes with difficult periods.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a society in which people are not insulated from one another's troubles but are instead called upon to show compassion and support for those who are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Take a moment to reflect on the balance of joy and suffering in life
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
Despite our different circumstances, we all experience pain and heartache in life
There's a song it will linger forever in our ears
This song serves as a reminder of the hard times that we've faced
Oh! Hard Times come again no more
We hope to never experience these difficult times again
It's the song, and the sigh of the weary
The song and its melancholy tune express the weariness and exhaustion of people living through hard times
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
The hard times have lasted a long time and have been a constant presence in the singer's life
While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay
We strive to enjoy the pleasant and uplifting experiences in life
There are frail forms fainting at the door
Others are struggling and barely holding on
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Even without speaking, their faces reveal the desperation and need for relief from the hard times
There's a pale drooping maiden who foils her life away
A young woman is wasting away in despair and sorrow
With the worn out heart whose better days are o'er
Her heart is broken and she has given up on better times ahead
Though her voice would be merry, its sighing all the day
Even if she tries to be happy, her constant sorrow makes it difficult
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.
The singer repeats the chorus, emphasizing the hope to leave these difficult times behind
Writer(s): DP, JONES MATTHEW PERRYMAN
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.