Hard Times Come Again No More


"Hard Times Come Again No More" is an American parlor song written by Stephen Foster. It was published in New York by Firth, Pond & Co. in 1854 as Foster's Melodies No. 28. Well-known and popular in its day, both in America and Europe, the song asks the fortunate to consider the plight of the less fortunate and includes one of Foster's favorite images: "a pale drooping maiden".
The first audio recording was a wax cylinder by the Edison Manufacturing Company in 1905. It has been recorded and performed numerous times since.
The song is Roud Folk Song Index #2659.
A satirical version about soldier's food was popular in the American Civil War, "Hard Tack Come Again No More".

Lyrics

Recordings

"Hard Times Come Again No More" has been included in the following: