this song comes from stephen foster (1826-1864), a prolific and beloved irish/American songwriter. his lyrics are a sharp and true as they are tender and resonant, even across time and indeed across every culture. so many are weary.... we need peace. we need to decide for it.
i'd like to thank melanie de bree for bearing gentle witness to my own hard times, and with much love i'd love i'd like to dedicate this song to her, for all the hard times she has made less lonely for so many. and to anyone feeling like something is 'hanging around outside their cabin door', please let me remind you that 'this too will pass' ... meaning that all things do, the good and the bad. everything cycles, and while we can sometimes feel that the good times are gone, the cycle continues, and things will move again ... promise :-)
may the bad times be brief but fruitful, and the good times swift to return.
lyrics
let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
for we all share sorrow with the poor
there's a song that will linger forever in our ears
oh, hard times come again no more
there's a song, a sigh of the weary
hard times, hard times come again no more
many days you have lingered outside my cabin door
oh hard times come again no more
while we seek mirth and beauty
and music bright and gay
there are frail forms waiting by the door
though their voices are silent
their pleading looks will say
oh, hard times come again no more
there's a song, a sigh of the weary
hard times, hard times, come again no more
many days you have lingered outside my cabin door
oh hard times come again no more
credits
from Telling Tales,
released November 2, 2007
written ~ stephen foster
arrangement ~ janette geri
clarinet ~ billy abbott
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