Hard Times Come Again No More
Yo-Yo Ma James Taylor Edgar Meyer Mark O'Connor Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
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 sign of the weary
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.

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 sign of the weary
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 toils her life away
With a worn 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 sign of the weary
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.

'Tis the song, the sign of the weary
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.

Overall Meaning

The song "Hard Times Come Again No More" by Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor is a solemn and nostalgic reflection on the difficulties of life. The lyrics describe the need to acknowledge the sorrow and suffering of others and to hope for a future free of hardship. The opening lines urge listeners to take a moment to appreciate the good in life but also to recognize the pain that coexists with it. The reference to supping sorrow with the poor suggests that we should not turn a blind eye to those who are struggling but instead empathize with them and be compassionate.


The song continues to emphasize the pervasive nature of hard times, acknowledging that they can affect anyone despite the pursuit of happiness and beauty. The refrain "Hard times, hard times, come again no more" speaks to a universal desire for an end to suffering. The verses also provide specific examples of those suffering, such as the "frail forms fainting at the door" and the "pale drooping maiden who toils her life away". This imagery helps to paint a picture of the real people who are affected by poverty and hardship.


Overall, "Hard Times Come Again No More" is a poignant reminder that life is not without its struggles, but we should always strive for compassion and empathy towards others in their moments of need.


Line by Line Meaning

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
Let us take a moment to reflect on the difficulties we all face in life, despite the moments of happiness and pleasure we also experience.


While we all sup sorrow with the poor
We are all familiar with pain and sadness, and we must remember to be compassionate towards those less fortunate.


There's a song that will linger forever in our ears
This song will always remind us of the hardships we have endured and the struggles of those around us.


Oh, hard times, come again no more.
May we never have to endure such difficult times again.


'Tis the song, the sign of the weary
This song is a symbol of the exhaustion felt by many who have faced tough times.


Hard times, hard times, come again no more
We hope that these tough times don't return, and this song serves as a reminder of that desire.


Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
These hard times have affected the lives of many, and they have left an indelible mark on our memories.


While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay
As we try to find joy and happiness in life, we are reminded that others are struggling and may not have the luxury of such pursuits.


There are frail forms fainting at the door
Among us, there are those who are weak and vulnerable due to the struggles they have faced.


Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Even if they don't speak up, those who are struggling are still silently asking for help and understanding.


There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away
There are people who have given everything they have just to survive, but still remain in dire circumstances.


With a worn heart, whose better days are o'er
Their spirits are broken, and they have lost what little hope they once had for a better life.


Though her voice it would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day
Even if they try to put on a happy face, deep down they are weighed down by sadness and despair.




Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions