Stephen Foster wrote this parlour song, known in full as "Hard Times Come Again No More", in the 1850s.
The words
A plea on behalf of the poor and suffering, asking that hard times stop coming back.
The song asks listeners to pause amid their own comfort and remember those who are hungry, weary and poor. Its refrain is a quiet wish that hardship would leave and not return, sung on behalf of everyone who suffers. Written as a gentle, hymn-like piece, it has outlasted its century as a standard of compassion. Dylan sings it slowly and plainly with acoustic guitar, letting its sorrow carry it.
Words by Stephen Foster
Lyrics on bobdylan.com ↗Listen and watch
The words
A plea on behalf of the poor and suffering, asking that hard times stop coming back.
The song asks listeners to pause amid their own comfort and remember those who are hungry, weary and poor. Its refrain is a quiet wish that hardship would leave and not return, sung on behalf of everyone who suffers. Written as a gentle, hymn-like piece, it has outlasted its century as a standard of compassion. Dylan sings it slowly and plainly with acoustic guitar, letting its sorrow carry it.
Words by Stephen Foster
Lyrics on bobdylan.com ↗The same year · 1992
Read onMusicBrainz ↗