Tommy Fleming was born in 1971 in Aclare, County Sligo. His singing talent was apparent from a young age, when he took part in talent competitions and concerts. Started a rock band (!) whilst at school.
After leaving school (in 1990) Tommy started to establish himself as part of a Castlebar quartet known as “Jarog” performing in pubs and clubs around the country. Tommy was also attracting attention at their many festival appearances across the country.
However, despite this success in many venues through the early 1990’s, record companies didn’t appear to be interested in his work. Then a chance encounter with renowned producer and composer Phil Coulter changed all that.
In July 1993, Phil overheard Tommy performing at a charity event in Westport, County Mayo and within days he was ‘guesting’ with Phil and his Orchestra at the Opera House (Cork), the National Concert Hall (Dublin) and The University Concert Hall (Limerick). Four months later he was touring North America, playing to huge audiences all across the USA and Canada, culminating in two shows in the Boston Symphony Hall and the legendary Carnegie Hall, New York .
From then on there was no looking back, and Tommy joined De Danan as lead vocalist. He was with De Danan for three years before starting his solo career. In 1998, however, his career and life was threatened following a car accident in which he sustained serious injuries including a broken neck. He did have doubts whether he would be able to return to singing, but a year later he had fought his was back to health and the music scene in Ireland. If anything it has added even more depth to his voice.
Tommy's material varies from traditional to contemporary, but it is predominantly Irish.
Tommy was nominated for Best Irish Male Vocalist in the national Meteor Music Awards 2000 and 2006, and in 2005 he was awarded Best Irish Male Singer by Irish Music Magazine. His force, apart from the extraordinarily pure and powerful tenor voice, is his ability to load his singing with emotion. You cannot leave a Tommy Fleming gig unmoved - even should you have a heart of stone.
(Combination of own experience and - not least - information found/confirmed at http://tommyfleming.net)
Hard Times
Tommy Fleming 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.
Chorus:
Theres the song, the sigh of the weary,
Hard times, hard times, come again no more
Oh hard times come again no more.
There's a pale silent maiden who toils her life away
With a warm heart her better days are o'er
Though her voice may be merry she's sighing all the day
Oh hard times come again no more
While we seek mirth and beauty and music bright and gay
There are frail forms fainting at the door
Though their voices are merry, their pleading looks will say
Oh hard times come again no more.
Chorus:
Theres the song, the sigh of the weary,
Hard times, hard times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more.
The lyrics to Tommy Fleming's song Hard Times are a call to pause and reflect on the difficulties of life. The first stanza encourages us to take stock of the many tears that are shed in this world, while we all share in the sorrows experienced by the poor. The song itself is said to be a reminder that hard times will always come, but we can hope that they won't come again. The chorus goes on to express the weariness and fatigue that comes with enduring prolonged periods of hardship, and how we long for the day when the hard times cease to come.
The second stanza speaks to the plight of those who work tirelessly with little to no reward. The pale, silent maiden represents the countless women who work hard but receive little recognition. Her better days have passed her by, and despite her cheerful demeanor, she spends her days sighing in anguish. The song highlights the fact that while some people have the luxury of seeking out joy and beauty, there are many more who are barely holding on. They are often too weak to speak out, but their pleading eyes tell the story of the pain they endure.
In conclusion, Hard Times is a poignant song that reminds us to be empathetic towards those who are struggling. The lyrics serve as a gentle reminder to not take our own blessings for granted and to pause and appreciate the good things in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Let us take a moment to stop enjoying life's pleasures and instead acknowledge the many sad and difficult moments that come with it.
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
As we all suffer and endure hardships, we must remain empathetic towards those who have less and are experiencing poverty.
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears
Despite the tough times we face, there will always be a song that we can take solace in and find comfort in.
Oh Hard times come again no more.
May these difficult times never return again.
There's a pale silent maiden who toils her life away
There are people, like this silent maiden, who work tirelessly throughout their lives, yet still face struggles and difficulties.
With a warm heart her better days are o'er
Despite her warm and kind nature, her life has been filled with hardships and she has yet to see better days.
Though her voice may be merry she's sighing all the day
Despite trying to maintain a positive outlook, she is burdened by the struggles she faces each day.
While we seek mirth and beauty and music bright and gay
While we look for happiness and enjoyment in life, there are those who are suffering and struggling silently.
There are frail forms fainting at the door
There are those who are weak and in dire need of help, struggling to survive and make it through each day.
Though their voices are merry, their pleading looks will say
Even though they may try to seem happy and content, their eyes betray the struggles they face and their desperate need for help and support.
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door
There are many times when these struggling individuals have sought refuge and assistance, hoping for kindness and compassion from those around them.
Oh hard times come again no more.
May these difficult times never return again.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dion Hayes, Deja Trimble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harryworth4655
HARD TIMES
(Stephen Collins Foster)
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
While we sup sorrow with the poor
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh, hard times come again no more
Chorus
'Tis the song, with sighs of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more
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, with sighs of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more
There's a pale sorrowed son who toils his life away
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er
Though his voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day
Oh, hard times come again no more
'Tis the song, with sighs of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered
Around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more
'Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave
'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore
'Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave
Oh, hard times come again no more
Stephen Foster, the author of Hard Times, Come Again No More, passed away in 1864 at the age of thirty-eight. He died famous and destitute — an alcoholic in the midst of a war — singing in bars for drinks and tips. Without the royalties that modern copyright laws provide, Foster had lost his Jeannie with the light brown hair and was a broken man. He was a great emulator of black song and, like many of his best-known works, ‘Hard Times’ seems to have drawn its
inspiration from the wealth of slave songs Foster heard as a young man. But it also shows the mark of a man who had come to know the suffering of which he wrote.
@henrietteholder8667
This is the most beautiful version of Stephen's song ever done..at least in my humble opinion.
@youngstansbury5709
+Henriette Holder year 2010 l visit his grave in penn. l love his few songsand l visit my old kentury home.l am his big fan.
@henrietteholder8667
Me too hon!
@harmesy37
Tommy would bring a tear to the eye of a statue......The Pride of Ireland..God Bless Ya ................
@ChantChorales
I could listen to Tommy sing all day, no matter what he sang.. His voice just truly amazing.. I wish him years and years more of success.. but also do hope one day he will come to Vancouver,BC to sing for us here.. Thank you.
@killterry127
GREAT SINGER....GREAT SONG !!!!!!!!! As we pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears Let us all taste the hungers of the poor. There's a song that will linger forever in our ears: Hard times, come again no more.
@cvcoco
I didnt know the Irish adopted this great US song. Go for it, and thanks for doing it justice. Beautiful!
@SMNONA100
"Hard times.." was an expression heard by us kids from our folks, often followed by a sigh, or silence. Much of that iconic experience was beyond the description of words, as silent memories replayed themselves in emotion. Emotion is the longest and clearest memory. The greed of financiers took their world apart, while a good government rescued so many from sheer destitution and starvation called The Great Depression. "Hard times, hard times, come again no more..."?
@denisroberts2937
One of best singers this country has ever had , a wonderful talent
@Astimegoesbyme
Wow! What a voice this guy has! Just beautiful! Love this song! Thanks for posting it!