"Hard Times Come Again No More" Mavis Staples
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Current economic times are tough and may seem familiar to those who experienced them before. These images are gritty and real. Sometimes history repeats itself, but hopefully the worst is behind us. Although "Hard Times Come Again No More" sounds as if it were written during the Great Depression, it was actually written in 1854 by Stephen C. Foster, America's pioneer songwriter. Mavis Staples, one of the greatest living gospel and R&B singers, recorded the song as part of the CD "Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster" a tribute album released on the Emergent Music label in 2004. Included are many of his famous and some lesser known songs recorded with contemporary interpretations and arrangements. I do not own the right to the song, audio, or images contained in this video. The sound recording is administered by SME. No copyright infringement is intended. The purpose of this upload is for viewer enjoyment and education not for monetary gain.
The old timers used to stop to hear this lady sing. This is beautiful.
Mavis did this song in just one take which makes it all that much more special.
I’m noticing that people see this song as purely from the Great Depression, it goes deeper than that. Remember that Stephen Foster died in the 1860’s so while it can be adapted and indeed adopted by any generation, it gives it greater depth when you understand the times that it was written in.
and yet its relevance has COME AGAIN to the globe
you noticed that.. as well...foster died ...broke...in a charity ward
Amen!!This lifts me up with the truth that we all struggle in this world every day.
You're right! It was published 7 years before the Civil War...1854, on one of the old wax cylinders. There has been, and will be hard times in this world. But, may I say, in Jesus it will not always be so. There is a day coming when all those who have trusted in Him will find eternal rest and joy together with Him! Lord bless yall...✌️🙏
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Only Mavis Staples could transform this mid 19th century Stephen Foster song into a gospel masterpiece. The melding of the great music with the archival photographs is brilliant. Unfortunately, there is poignant relevance to the plight of so many here, today.
This women's voice sends chills down my spine and puts my mind in a very good place. There will never be another Mavis Staples
Well said
Whew! You're so right! That lady could sing the phonebook and bring tears of joy! ✌️🙏
I was 100% sure it was a man singing until I read your comment
Mavis Staples' performance is the benchmark, gold standard, but the credit for this song is to the great Stephen Foster.
Could anyone add more soul and feeling to this great classic? Mavis Staples is truly amazing.
We all owe our ancestors, regardless of race or religion. All of us have it better, much, much better. I am grateful for that.
what an amazing voice Mavis Staples has given to this classic song. Brings tears to my eyes.
Best version of the song I have ever heard.
Mc Hobbit have you heard Bob's Dylan version?
Yes, I did. I just like Mavis better.
+Mc Hobbit Tim O'Brien does a fine job with this great song also
@@dsimms561 This is the best version: th-cam.com/video/s5T0vy0-Oak/w-d-xo.html
@@mchobbit2951 I totally agree!!!!
This song is more relevant than ever
Stephen C. Foster Was Absolute Musical Genius
Mavis Staples Does Him Justice Here.
MrDanoconnor o
Pure human soul here, in the raw. Well done, Mavis Staples, well done.
Well, there's a reason he's the most popular American songwriter of all time. I mean, whether you're 3 or 93 you definitely know at least one Foster song.
@@DennisYamaha1985 do you know where I can find a recording of this? I searched iTunes.
I’m pretty sure he was also an absolute racist but hey
Actually I’m 100% sure he was an absolute racist. Although we was an antebellum minstrel artist so that’s a given I suppose
Okay, we are in it again. Let us remember our strength, our inherent grace and kindness. Our elders got through their troubles, we will get through this. Let's love and cherish each other while doing the best we can for all.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Well said.♥️
Amen!
You said that so beautifully.
Sorry to break it to you, but mankind is inherently selfish and corrupt. We are all great sinners in need of a great savior.
My Father was born in 1910 and when then depression hit he made it through as a bare knuckles champ plus wrestler for exhibition and money as food was scarce.. When WW2 came he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and when it split he was in the Air Force.. He was a veteran in three wars, WW2, Korea, Vietnam. Rip peace Dad. Your son is proud of you. Thanks for the wonderful and touching post. Nobody sings it like Mavis. Ry Cooder could give any guitarist alive lessons !
Michael Allen my grandmothers lived through the depression....they would keep drawers full of rubber bands and pencils and all kinds of things...
The
I will never know the true stories of how my grandparents made it through the great depression. I have clues, and inklings, but I will never know the full story. I can only imagine.
Bless your dad
Bless you son, and the memories of your father.
Thank you Mavis for such a heartfelt rendition of a song that is becoming truer by the day and to come. Let us pray it won't go on for too long.
My grandfather came from a wealthy family in Greenwich, Connecticut. His father was a stockbroker who lost no money in the 1929 crash. Yet when he talked of those times and of his relatives and friends who had lost money and killed themselves my grandfather had tears in his eyes. The memory and fear of hard times never left my grandfather's mind.
What a voice. This song speaks to everyone - not just Americans. It could just as easily be about Britain during the Blitz in the 1940's or the decrepit state of the country in the 1970's - as about the great American depression of the 1930's.
This song extends beyond relating to the struggles of any 'one' country; and it transcends time periods too. What a great song - thank you Mavis .....and also Ry.
Beautiful song Beautiful Voice
Beautiful Mavis
incredible and heartfelt song, breaks your heart to see so much pain and heartache in the world. This song should be an anthem to everybody who wants to change our world for the benefit of our planet and it's people, and not to serve this inhuman economic system which makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
I AM DISSOLVED IN TEARS. One of Foster's greatest songs is here given the most moving performance of it I ever heard.
It's impossible to listen to this song without wiping away a tear. Mavis knows how to pick her songs.
Thank you a thousand times to Ken Burns and his team for using this song in “Country Music” and several previous documentaries before that(Lou Gehrig’s farewell at Yankee Stadium from “Baseball” and “The Roosevelts” come to mind). Arguably the best rendition by Ms. Staples here.
Did you notice, camonteret87, that the photos that Ken Burns used were similar to the ones that I had used when I put this together 10 years ago. Obviously Mr. Burns & I had the same idea.
It's impossible to describe the emotions that come over me when Mavis Staples sings. I can't do anything but just stop and listen to her magnificent voice.
I shared this link on Facebook in 2018 and it was blocked as being "against community standards." Shared it again, and it was blocked again. I gather there is a naked little boy in one of the pictures and that is why it is being blocked. And yes, it is a wonderful song and a very moving compilation of photos. Thanks for posting.
This happened to me as well
There's only one reason why those 50 people would give this a thumbs down. Shame on you.
I heard this last night on Ken Burns Country Music episode 2. Just wonderful!
I heard it too & found the visuals similar to my upload. In the first episode "My Old Kentucky Home" by John Prine from the same CD was used.
Me too. So glad I heard this wonderful song
Me to man.
So did I! Whatever was coming after the opening, they had me at Mavis!
Ken Burns uses it most of his PBS series. I love it. My parents were born in the 19-teens and lived through the depression.
Mavis is a gift from the universe.
I can't get enough of this. Best version ever for this song.
I've been searching youtube most of the last hour for the best version of this, and I think I've found it! Praise God for Mavis Staples and her beautiful family
I am weeping for the sadness and beauty
A definite salve for our current times. Viva, Mavis!
The photos of heartbroken families, the lyrics from Stephen Foster, and the soulful voice of Mavis Staples!! This just clutches at my heart. Bless all of those in need today. and Thank You, Catman, for this wonderful video......Angie
I got to see Mavis Staples recently with Bob Dylan here in Indianapolis. I love this woman.
We have had the pleasure of hearing Mavis many times in Chicago. What a performer, even today.
Sang it Ms. Mavis!!!!.......yes, thank you Lord!
My soul is nourished by this music!
Mavis Staples ..........by your glorious powerful expressive voice you had moved my Heart that I had never experienced in my life before! It made me felt the pain and sorrow of those that went through the hardest of times each day to survive! May God bless you Mavis..!
Whoa. What a powerful (and authentic) voice! Beautiful!!
Timeless. Love Mavis, her soulfulness and her eternal voice.
The people who lived through the Great Depression learned to value things, non-material things like friends and family, in a way we can never understand. In those days you got by only with the help of others. The Depression was an anvil that turned Americans to steel, a much needed trait to take on the Germans and Japanese in the coming war but also gave them pride in themselves. God bless these people who laid the foundation of our current prosperity. I salute you.
Amazing..simply amazing voice, soo moving & powerful! I feel this as a sacred song.
Beautiful version of this great song, thanks!
I've never seen a video with no dislikes before. And I understand why NO ONE dislikes this one.
26 dislikes :(
Make that 26 Arseholes.
Best version of this great song from the 1800s in my view....I got goose bumps when I first heard it....
Really worthwhile thank you very sincerely for the opportunity to see and listen to it.
You're welcome, auguritutto. I consider this to be one of my best uploads.
Yes! Foster was a serious song writer, a deep soul and not just the guy who wrote Oh! Susannah and Camptown Races. If he had written nothing else but this timeless treasure, he would deserve a place of great honor in the pantheon of song writers.
I agree 100%. ... His Life story and Sad ending is a Story worth Researching. Music Historians have called him, "the Man Who Made America Sing." As Time went on, He also made the World Sing and made Himself Immortal... R.I.P.
How many songwriters can claim even one song that people are singing for pleasure, and not just antiquarian interest, more than 150 years later? Foster can claim at least a half dozen titles most people can recognize: Beautiful Dreamer, Oh Susannah, Camptown Races, Old Kentucky Home, Old Folks at Home (Swanee River), Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, and this one. In previous generations, "Old Black Joe" was also popular but is mostly forgotten now. If the lyrics are sometimes dated and minstrel-showish, the man had a sense of melody that is unsurpassed.
@@majkus Exactly! He was a popular songwriter of genius.
What a treasure is this Mavis Staples rendition of music-saint Stephen Foster's venerable old song. This performance beggars all country, folksy, and re-tread hippie versions.
This is the best video on TH-cam this was the America God reached down and greatly blessed I’m saddened where we are now and pray God forgives us and heals our land
Simply put, gorgeous.
@catman916: Thank you very much für posting this video, a rare find!
Everything about it is just wonderful: The touching song, the beautiful lyrics by Stephan Foster, Mavis Staples´ inimitable voice and delivery, the choice of pictures, every single one of them.
Strong soulful version of Mavis and an impressing slide show. Thank you Catman.
wow. this is my new favorite version of this song. (Sorry James Taylor...) Love this.
A wonderful album. This is but one of many excellent tracks on the 1995 Grammy Winning album, 'Beautiful Dreamer'. This won an award for Best Traditional Folk Album of that year.
It was actually released in 2004.
+Lengo67 Thanks! I'll have to check this cd out.
God Bless your soul Ms. Staples. Your joy and gift to the world are still bringing the truth of Jesus.
In the Arms Of God rest in peace Stephen Foster, and know your songs are still being sung by many today.
Wow. Just ... WOW. Fantastic.
Very expressive. Best version I've heard
my parents worked in a rayon mill in Roanoke during the depression, I was born in 1943 during wwII, what a way to hard times
Wow,always heard it it a civil war context ,but hard times don't know any single Era or body of people. Soulful rendition gives it a new meaning for me !
Sister Mavis does a brilliant version of this old tune...
Most importantly, thank you for this wonderful video,the song, the singer, the meaningful message, a work of art, thank you!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful performance....I have just started playing on my guitar & there are four verses I sing & the words are magic & emotional...I am 80yrs old... cheers 🦘🦘😊
💙👏🇰🇿
I love her on this and this song is a great picture of the American depression era. Sadly what we built we took for granted it's in decay and a lot of it vacant along with the souls of many.
Compellingly beautiful and authentic!!!👌🏻🤍💫
Wonderful song and vocal ___i sure wish Ray would have recorded this
What a great heartfelt song, timeless.
mavis you are beyond compare...this truly amazes me!
aaaaah this is so moving. love this voice. it means every syllable. thank you so much!
I agree 100&
Amazing sounds & so,so good
Sweet, bittersweet, and touching.
Great collection of photos. Thanks for posting.
absolutely the best interpretation of this work ever!!
beautiful song, excellent vid... very much appreciated
I saw miss Mavis once. I waved and she waved back
Thank you for sharing this song!
This is absolutely wonderful. I never heard it before, but someone posted it on FB tonight...goosebumps! Thanks for uploading it,
This song touches my heart and shakes it.
Wish I knew how to snag TH-cam videos but I don't. This would be the one I would snag. Thank you Mavis Staples for sharing freely. Hard times are coming to this world as never been seen before in the days ahead.
+Darby Dupree Download Free Studio from dvdvideosoft.com, Darby.
+catman916 I don't know if it will work on a Mac. :/
i'll send you the track
Stephen Foster was so talented. His was the soul of America.
This is beautiful, thank you.
Thank you, Kathleen.
Sang Mavis touched me dearly
Oh, Mavis, please live forever.
Beautiful.
The best voice i have ever heard she is too much sensitive. Gospel songs are what I love. Thanks for the performance. ❤️👍🇹🇳
Amazing pictorials.
This was a great choice for civilization 6. Also an amazing choice to listen to
I don't think this woman could ever sing anything that was not just a plain pleasure to hear.
You are probably right.
Hard times have never really left for a lot of us.
BRILLIANT!!!
What an absolutely incredible voice & delivery.
Amazing sounds & so,so good & the backing is fantastic.
Well done!
I thought this was Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard, 'til I came to my senses. Bravo, Mavis.
Great too.
How right you are, MelodyGirl7. The situation does not appear to be improving, but there is always hope.
My grandparents were children in the last years of the Depression.Thankfully, they never had to deal with the kind of shocking poverty that is being shown with these pictures, but to this day they still won't throw anything out. They serve left-overs with every new meal until they're finished and instead of getting rid of old furniture and stuff like that, they pass it on to one of the grandkids.
They use everything until it's beyond all use. I think this kind of behaviour is a little weird, but much better than the throw-away society that has been established by consumers today.
same for many of my relatives; rubbed off on me
reduce, reuse, recycle. a way that should not be lost on us.
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
This and Bob Dylan's version of this Stephen Foster song are both great.
This is the best.
O HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE.....GOD BLESS US
The song, the sigh of the weary.
Almost a hundred years have passed. *And hello everyone from 2020!)* _Are you ready, kids, for “Hard Times?!”)_
_I can’t hear you..._
Now this song sounds like a mockery.
Or rather, like a prayer.
Hard times it was!!...2020 🕯️🙏 🕊️
@@jeanettewagner6122 2021: - _Hold my beer!)_
In the Arms Of God rest in peace Stephen C. Foster, and know many still sing your songs today.
Hard times are always behind and ahead of us. If we accept this we can be prepared to be self sufficient or put your faith in an ever changing government. "One of the most frightening things you can hear is; 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help""