Hard Times Come Again No More

In March, 2004 Mavis Staples came to Nashville to record Hard Times Come Again No More for our first release, Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster. The day was magical. We spent the afternoon as guests of historic Sound Emporium studio who graciously donated one of their rooms for the recording session. Buddy Miller, Steve Fishell and Matt Rollings backed Mavis up while our favorite sound engineer Dave Sinko recorded the incredible performance. Mavis nailed the track on the first run-through, but we persuaded her to sing the song a few times for our own pleasure and to the delight of our special in-studio guests Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller.
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[@timhoheisel8939]

After the first couple of bars by the piano it was clear that this was going to be special. I had goose bumps the second the vocals came in. Her voice is, obviously, special. Her phrasing is beautiful and she doesn’t overdo altering the melody at all. Perfect. ☺️

[@jguenther3049]

Right!

[@user-oj4tj7ou9k]

This great lady gathered up all the hurt, sadness, disappointment, prejudice, bloodshed and lynching of her people's ancestors right down to the moment she stood in front of that microphone with her forgiving smile and she just let her God given talent cry out this heartfelt prayer to God ,asking for a lull in the suffering for her present day brothers and sisters into the future, black and white amen

[@lovelylavenderr]

This song is the anthem of Americans. Not of the United States of America as a nation, but of its people. The people who have come from countless different backgrounds, are many different skin colors, practice many different religions, and believe many different things, but all share hardships as well as prosperity. Let us all work together to build the America of the future, one where hard times truly come again no more.

[@louiselabarbera3004]

I agree.

[@general_wcj9438]

There's a reason it's the music for America in Civ 6

[@sophieha2573]

My heart aches as I listen. The ultimate interpretation of this song. What a gift her voice is to the world.

[@MsHappytoo]

Listen to her sing...God Bless The Children...it gives me chills!

[@MrIbgrant]

Yes!!!

[@wadjela]

The BEST version of Syephen Foster's classic song. Thanks Mavis.

[@allanhope6263]

Beautiful song beautifully sung

[@65firecat]

She is such a beautiful soul. Thank God for Mavis!

[@parispoet]

Wow...hearing this song for the first time in a movie called A Chance Encounter made me look up this amazing song. Mavis Maple sings with so much emotion! ❤❤❤❤

[@ToshdogII]

I'm just floored. Bless Mavis Staples

[@johnholliday57]

I find this cover just as moving today as I did when I first heard it a few years ago. Mavis is simply awesome, the pianist is spot on, and I think everyone in that studio knew they were capturing something special. How ironic, too, as James Taylor has pointed out, this was written by the great Stephen Foster who died penniless.

[@MrIbgrant]

I totally agree with you. Well put.

[@timothygraff9464]

Don't know that it could be given any greater honor!

[@ErichOverhultz]

38 cents in his pocket when he died.

[@charleskesner1302]

Mavis nails it. The emotion is so real.

[@lavonette]

Moves me to tears every time I watch it!

[@ericschwartz9982]

Man, this song still resonates with me. 150+ years since it was written and it is so relevant. Thank you!

[@tausa75]

What a delightful performance to stumble upon today.

[@Briansongman]

I have nothing new to add to the comments. This is simply gorgeous playing on the part of every musician and Mavis is transcendent.

[@jasongarrett9493]

This song, and its vocalist, is perfection.

[@goddessofcha0s]

This is the only version of this song that truly moves me. So powerful ❤️😭

[@barbwaldon4585]

so beautiful. I would wish that the hard times will bring us all closer and make us kinder to each other.

[@Chip1131973]

There are doing it

[@patriciaramsey6185]

This is so moving and appropriate to the time we are going through as a nation!

[@raskinblog]

Appropriate = much needed. That's right.

[@MrIbgrant]

Yes.

[@lorenzosgarza]

Yee

[@ciscomartinez6092]

I’m from the future hard times came again

[@timsmusic7349]

Beautiful song. Wish it was about the past!

[@thesoupdragonat121]

I'm moved to tears by her beautiful voice and sincere sentiment.

[@victorianghost16]

Wow i'm in tears of joy

[@theresaf2983]

This is, hands down, the most powerful version of this song I've ever heard.

[@occupyyourmind2]

Yes. Truly powerful. Although my grandmother who was born in 1884 sang this to me in 1950 when I was a young child. She'd lived through the post Civil War years and the Great Depression and for different reasons than Mavis Staples knew what the lyrics truly meant.

[@icook1723]

I love this one, and Johnny Cashs performance. I cant pick a best.

[@sjparadiso]

Theresa F Amen and Amen.

[@ronbarth4879]

I just wish she would have sung the third verse also which is seldom heard and lyricly the best.

[@ericpaul2383]

Theresa F Yup

[@Plowhandle]

Amazing.

[@lethiapage4767]

oh my that look on Mavis' face. I feel she knows the magnitude of the blessing she is giving us. 02:34

[@MarthaReynolds]

We are surely in hard times now. Thank you, Mavis Staples, for comforting and inspiring me.

[@williamh725]

👑EVERYTHING MAVIS TOUCH BECOMES HERS,AND NO ONE CAN COME BEHIND HER AND DO IT BETTER! SHE OWNS THEM! EXCELLENT JOB MAVIS!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👑👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿💥

[@rockandroll4evermore]

Wonderful. Mavis Staples. Thank you.

[@vivianmadisonmahoney9457]

Sharing a beautiful song. I dedicate it all who are going through hard times. Especially all the recent hurricane victims and those who have lost sweet loved ones

[@petejefferson2]

Love this song. What a voice filled with such soul!!!!!!

[@irenecoy4437]

Beautiful... reminds me of Sister Rossetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson... lovely version.❤

[@xorxzorz6995]

What a national treasure and great gift to the world Mavis has been for so many years.

[@funkyswede62]

Mavis is a legend. This woman just fills me up with emotion with eveything she does!

[@wdvest8333]

This is my FAVORITE FOSTER SONG

[@elizabethlinsay9193]

A beautiful gospel version by a beautiful gospel singer.

[@MrIbgrant]

I totally agree!!!

[@ErichOverhultz]

Doesn't get any better than that. Whew!

[@princessfrogee72]

BEAUTIFUL VERSION OF THIS SONG! You are blessed Ms. Staples!

[@alanthedrum]

I've researched many interpretations of this with a view to performing it. This is the best. Pianist ans singer feeding each other.

[@tomdolan837]

We used this for the cancer survivor's lap at our Relay For Life event- absolutely beautiful.

[@kevinvaughan7582]

Just speechless…

[@taylorchandler7058]

Classic Stephen Foster.

[@rockandroll4evermore]

Stephen Foster was really someone special. A great version here.

[@DELTA19ACTUAL]

Each day you awake and race through your day in hope of staving hard times, some days you trip over it, I am alive only at the behest of a young bride who stopped and gave me precious CPR, until Morrow county EMS arrived to finish her efforts, grace goes to god, my life to her...... thank people you don’t know, I think this is my saving grace, let it be yours

[@DELTA19ACTUAL]

I love all of you, my fellow humans........ I have seen the blackness, God is not for you to fear, I AM HIS LIVING PROOF

[@cragsmonster]

a beautiful song sung by a beautiful woman

[@murph3001]

Truly an experience

[@mauiloves885]

It's just more than Beautiful... it's to inspire your Soul..

[@rosewelton7743]

Sweet Sweet Sounds Amen 🙏

[@SEARAIN23]

Love this... thank you "momma"!

[@ZusuBee]

this version was recommended in Chronicles Magazines 3/2018. Thanks.

[@hoss-lk4bg]

tears in my eyes

[@TexaScotsman]

A wonderful version of this song my favorite, what a voice!

[@HeBeGeeBee24]

What a great song for today!

[@wdvest8333]

Mavis Staples. Wow

[@MrsJanieG]

Wow, that was a powerful song!

[@smartalek180]

Lord, that was stunning.Thank you for promoting it here.

[@GinniStacey]

Mavis. You are beautiful. I so sincerely love your rendition of this song. It is so soulful and different to what I have heard. Abosolutely lovely :)

[@arthurmarkos5522]

This has to be our message as we turn to 2021. Thank you Mavis!

[@3maedchen]

Beautiful song with a beautiful lady singing. Danke!

[@icook1723]

I dont know which i love more. This version or John Cash. I am blessed to listen to both.

[@Tripleaught18]

MERCY!! Sing it WOW!

[@Onetime8224]

.......ohhhhhhohoho so painful indeed! So heartfelt indeed........my tears and prayers are for those who are facing so hard a time in their lives now and those that have felt it no more! Thank you Mavis.....!

[@Gobear1]

I want this played at my funeral.

[@torgo714]

Mavis Staples moves me and my soul like no other

[@berrybarfield6452]

Just heard this 9/16/19,Mavis this is beautiful,your fan from Lumberton NC!!

[@williamh725]

👑September 16,2019! I,m listening to her now sing it on "PBS" on a special documentary about country and blue grass history! Love Mavis and her family! I lived 3 houses from the Staples in Dolton,Illinois the far Southside of Chicago. BEAUTIFUL and loving family! Macie as we called her is SOOOOO DOWN TO EARTH!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💥💣❤👑👌🏿100%👈🏿

[@williamh725]

I JUST MIS SPELLED MAVIS' NICKNAME BELOW.IT,S MAVIE,NOT MACIE,MY BAD!🤣👌🏿

[@Popo2191]

this is one of the best songs i've ever heard

[@mircovannucchi6600]

Timeless ! Great Mavis. MV

[@MrBaker614]

Mavis Staples is beyond anything describable by me. All I can say is I,d give a lot to meet this Powerful, most Soulful,never to be matched again, type of singer.She,s surely blessed and I love her..

[@oneandy2]

The young don't appreciate this song. The older I get, the more this song means to me.

[@silverwindsmoon]

I can't believe I just heard this song, for the 1st time ever, last night on the tv series "Parenthood"; incredibly beautiful.

[@brucelevine6517]

It just doesn't get any truer than that ♥️♥️♥️♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tunett123]

Amazing! Thanks Mavis

[@Currabell]

Chills. SO beautiful.

[@tobiasoellers146]

This Lady can sing. Tears in my eyes. I love Music and singing.

[@arsenepinlu]

The best version. Ever.

[@nim791]

Matt Rollings, Man that I could play like that. Well 2020, "Hard Times has Come Again", where the only 'No More' is when there is no more to take. My tears are for the growing poor. I cry for you children. It's not going to get better this time. Ever.

[@murph3001]

Takes your heart. Takes your soul.___ this is forever

[@1terb]

Powerful as this piece deserves and requires! Beautiful, earth moving!

[@jkoff76]

Stephen Foster and Mavis Staples = perfection!!!

[@ericw9372]

To the people of Baltimore who are suffering and in struggle every day. May God comfort you and ease your hearts.

[@dylansmith7690]

Best. Ever.

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Wow... Talk about being in the right place... at the right time... and doing the right thing. This is IT - I'm completely amazed... A feast for the spirit, and a smle for my soul! I needed this today.

[@cindyandrews9485]

This is one of the most beautiful versions of this song (there are many). She has an amazingly soothing voice.

[@AcceleraTube]

Beautiful soulful voice.

[@johnhelgeson4033]

Mavis is Spectacular and she has elite musicians playing with her. Thank You Mavis and team

[@MavritteSings]

The first time I heard this song was sung by Stefan Scaggiari and it was so beautiful. I am so pleased to hear this version by Mavis Staples. Well done, my sister in Christ!

[@west4coast77]

Simply stunning! Fabulous singing, performance and accompaniment. So refreshing. Thanks for posting.

[@bethhamlet]

THAT'S how you sing a song.

[@robertfranze4030]

I have heard this song sung by so many great singers, but this is by far the best. Stephen Foster would have a huge smile on his face

[@hebik3239]

Mavis gives every song she does soul, absolutely beautiful.

[@JayBartelsTV]

Amazing..I'm at a loss for words..Simply amazing

[@holakath]

BEAUTIFUL!!! Her voice reminds me of my school teacher, piano teacher and my guardian angel Muriel Wilkins!! Muriel was not famous except in the song walking in Memphis and in the hearts of those who loved her.

[@RussellPotter]

The finest version of this song that has ever been ...

[@TheOBOM]

I love Mavis, she's a guiding light foir me. We played her music at my mom's funeral, it was the best way to goodbye....thank you Mavis. Respect: OBOM

[@Hands2HealNow]

Beautifully done! God bless.

[@lillianaward905]

I adore Mavis Staples voice...her songs and voice left my soul! God bless you, Mavis! :)

[@ellenanniestevenson6881]

Wonderful rendition - a beautiful song as timeless as poverty and pain.

[@MrIbgrant]

Lovely words! I agree.

[@yourbestmusicman]

Masterful, powerful - thank you Mavis!

[@TheGrasspond]

I think this is the best version I have every heard

[@inguzjc]

Heard this at the beginning of episode 2 of Ken Burns County Music documentary. There's no mistaking that velvet voice but I had to make sure so I found this. At end of singing "The Weight" on The Last Waltz Mavis says "Beautiful" - still is.

[@thegeneralissimo470]

Bully for you, Mavis!

[@wombleofwimbledon5442]

I see what you did there :)

[@howlinhobbit]

My god, that was beyond fabulous. Thank you Ms Staples and Ellis Creative.

[@greengiant9739]

You have such a beautiful fulfilling voice....Mavis..😍

[@daryljay7057]

Mavis Staples is a National Treasure! Indeed, the entire Staples Family is as well. Immortality is writing a song so compelling , it survives your death by 150 years! Stephen Foster IS immortal.