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.

@yarazooom

4 жыл бұрын

and yet its relevance has COME AGAIN to the globe

@davewallace8219

2 жыл бұрын

you noticed that.. as well...foster died ...broke...in a charity ward

@johnturner2636

Жыл бұрын

Amen!!This lifts me up with the truth that we all struggle in this world every day.

@mickknight6963

Жыл бұрын

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...✌️🙏

@homesickgirlblues

9 ай бұрын

0

The old timers used to stop to hear this lady sing. This is beautiful.

Could anyone add more soul and feeling to this great classic? Mavis Staples is truly amazing.

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

@murph3001

3 жыл бұрын

Well said

@mickknight6963

Жыл бұрын

Whew! You're so right! That lady could sing the phonebook and bring tears of joy! ✌️🙏

@daijme

10 ай бұрын

I was 100% sure it was a man singing until I read your comment

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.

Mavis did this song in just one take which makes it all that much more special.

This song is more relevant than ever

what an amazing voice Mavis Staples has given to this classic song. Brings tears to my eyes.

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.

@roxannekilby3754

4 жыл бұрын

xoxoxoxoxoxo

@britendarkk8337

4 жыл бұрын

Well said.♥️

@racheldobbs2028

4 жыл бұрын

Amen!

@Lizzy00088

2 жыл бұрын

You said that so beautifully.

@kylelindberg7771

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry to break it to you, but mankind is inherently selfish and corrupt. We are all great sinners in need of a great savior.

We all owe our ancestors, regardless of race or religion. All of us have it better, much, much better. I am grateful for that.

Mavis Staples' performance is the benchmark, gold standard, but the credit for this song is to the great Stephen Foster.

Stephen C. Foster Was Absolute Musical Genius Mavis Staples Does Him Justice Here.

@roaldellefsen9914

6 жыл бұрын

MrDanoconnor o

@DennisYamaha1985

4 жыл бұрын

Pure human soul here, in the raw. Well done, Mavis Staples, well done.

@jamielwendland7041

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@rebeccasherrod4966

3 жыл бұрын

@@DennisYamaha1985 do you know where I can find a recording of this? I searched iTunes.

@archdukefranzferdinand2112

2 жыл бұрын

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

I AM DISSOLVED IN TEARS. One of Foster's greatest songs is here given the most moving performance of it I ever heard.

In the Arms Of God rest in peace Stephen Foster, and know your songs are still being sung by many today.

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 got to see Mavis Staples recently with Bob Dylan here in Indianapolis. I love this woman.

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.

It's impossible to listen to this song without wiping away a tear. Mavis knows how to pick her songs.

Best version of the song I have ever heard.

@mrsuperbruce

9 жыл бұрын

Mc Hobbit have you heard Bob's Dylan version?

@mchobbit2951

9 жыл бұрын

Yes, I did. I just like Mavis better.

@dsimms561

8 жыл бұрын

+Mc Hobbit Tim O'Brien does a fine job with this great song also

@maryplaidy6814

4 жыл бұрын

@@dsimms561 This is the best version: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pWmIktiyYJC1kc4.html

@MrIbgrant

3 жыл бұрын

@@mchobbit2951 I totally agree!!!!

We have had the pleasure of hearing Mavis many times in Chicago. What a performer, even today.

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.

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 !

@yourfabuloushappymann5154

7 жыл бұрын

Michael Allen my grandmothers lived through the depression....they would keep drawers full of rubber bands and pencils and all kinds of things...

@LakotaSteveEmery

7 жыл бұрын

The

@greasyunionguy7761

6 жыл бұрын

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.

@murph3001

4 жыл бұрын

Bless your dad

@Yrr666

4 жыл бұрын

Bless you son, and the memories of your father.

Mavis is a gift from the universe.

I am weeping for the sadness and beauty

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.

@thomaswilliams5535

Жыл бұрын

Beautiful song Beautiful Voice Beautiful Mavis

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.

@catman916

4 жыл бұрын

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.

I can't get enough of this. Best version ever for this song.

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

There's only one reason why those 50 people would give this a thumbs down. Shame on you.

Amazing..simply amazing voice, soo moving & powerful! I feel this as a sacred song.

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.

Timeless. Love Mavis, her soulfulness and her eternal voice.

Sang it Ms. Mavis!!!!.......yes, thank you Lord!

My soul is nourished by this music!

A definite salve for our current times. Viva, Mavis!

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

Whoa. What a powerful (and authentic) voice! Beautiful!!

Best version of this great song from the 1800s in my view....I got goose bumps when I first heard it....

Almost a hundred years have passed. *And hello everyone from 2020!)* _Are you ready, kids, for “Hard Times?!”)_ _I can’t hear you..._

@Kirill_UA

4 жыл бұрын

Now this song sounds like a mockery. Or rather, like a prayer.

@jeanettewagner6122

3 жыл бұрын

Hard times it was!!...2020 🕯️🙏 🕊️

@Kirill_UA

3 жыл бұрын

@@jeanettewagner6122 2021: - _Hold my beer!)_

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

Beautiful version of this great song, thanks!

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 !

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..!

Simply put, gorgeous.

I heard this last night on Ken Burns Country Music episode 2. Just wonderful!

@catman916

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@murph3001

4 жыл бұрын

Me too. So glad I heard this wonderful song

@rickymack2611

4 жыл бұрын

Me to man.

@lynettemiller7912

4 жыл бұрын

So did I! Whatever was coming after the opening, they had me at Mavis!

@doumafr_

4 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

@MrDanoconnor

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@majkus

Жыл бұрын

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.

@syourke3

Жыл бұрын

@@majkus Exactly! He was a popular songwriter of genius.

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.

@maxrawnsley1401

6 жыл бұрын

same for many of my relatives; rubbed off on me

@jebstewart666

6 жыл бұрын

reduce, reuse, recycle. a way that should not be lost on us.

@katcon67

3 жыл бұрын

"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.

Really worthwhile thank you very sincerely for the opportunity to see and listen to it.

@catman916

9 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, auguritutto. I consider this to be one of my best uploads.

Compellingly beautiful and authentic!!!👌🏻🤍💫

Wow. Just ... WOW. Fantastic.

Very expressive. Best version I've heard

Hard times have never really left for a lot of us.

God Bless your soul Ms. Staples. Your joy and gift to the world are still bringing the truth of Jesus.

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.

I don't think this woman could ever sing anything that was not just a plain pleasure to hear.

@joakimberg7897

Жыл бұрын

You are probably right.

I've never seen a video with no dislikes before. And I understand why NO ONE dislikes this one.

@IsaacPhillipsMovieDude

4 жыл бұрын

26 dislikes :(

@cliffwheeler7357

4 жыл бұрын

Make that 26 Arseholes.

Sister Mavis does a brilliant version of this old tune...

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.

@catman916

9 жыл бұрын

It was actually released in 2004.

@darbydupree4056

8 жыл бұрын

+Lengo67 Thanks! I'll have to check this cd out.

Strong soulful version of Mavis and an impressing slide show. Thank you Catman.

What a great heartfelt song, timeless.

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""

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 KZread 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

@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.

This song touches my heart and shakes it.

This is hard Song 🎵 to sing hard times ❤❤❤

I saw miss Mavis once. I waved and she waved back

aaaaah this is so moving. love this voice. it means every syllable. thank you so much!

She gets this right. Too many artist do not get that this is a dirge it should not be bouncy or upbeat it should be done slow sad and mournfully as this.

The best voice i have ever heard she is too much sensitive. Gospel songs are what I love. Thanks for the performance. ❤️👍🇹🇳

mavis you are beyond compare...this truly amazes me!

Sweet, bittersweet, and touching.

Here we are 2016 nothing changes for the POOR, This world has to change for the poor and neglected, I wish the novo rich could live aday in the lives of the neglected then things would PROBABLY !!! CHANGE DEN PROCTER

@bigmacfinland4343

7 жыл бұрын

Don't worry, Trump is going to win and bring back our jobs.

@angryveryoldman

7 жыл бұрын

that was a bad joke

Stephen Foster was so talented. His was the soul of America.

I agree 100& Amazing sounds & so,so good

This was a great choice for civilization 6. Also an amazing choice to listen to

O HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE.....GOD BLESS US

Thank you for sharing this song!

Thank you, Kathleen.

wow. this is my new favorite version of this song. (Sorry James Taylor...) Love this.

I first heard this song sung by Mary Black. I assumed it was about the Great Potato Famine in Ireland. It is universal about human suffering.

1. Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears, While we all sup sorrow with the poor; There's a song that will linger forever in our ears; Oh! Hard times come again no more. Chorus: 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary, Hard Times, hard times, come again no more. Many days you have lingered around my cabin door; Oh! Hard times come again no more. 2. While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay, There are frail forms fainting at the door; Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say Oh! Hard times come again no more. Chorus 3. There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away, With a worn heart whose better days are o'er: Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day, Oh! Hard times come again no more. Chorus 4. 'Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave, 'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore 'Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave Oh! Hard times come again no more. Chorus Hard times will come again no more for I am keeping my eyes on the prize. Paul and Silas, bound in jail Had no money for to go their bail Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Paul and Silas began to shout Doors popped open, and they walked out Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Well, the only chains that we can stand Are the chains of hand in hand Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Got my hand on the freedom plow Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your Eyes on the Prize, hold on! Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on) Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on! (Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on) (Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on) (Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on) Keepin' my eyes on the prize I will hold on until You come for me. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:24‭-‬27 KJV Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Most importantly, thank you for this wonderful video,the song, the singer, the meaningful message, a work of art, thank you!

absolutely the best interpretation of this work ever!!

Oh, Mavis, please live forever.

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 🦘🦘😊

@Poryadochnost

3 ай бұрын

💙👏🇰🇿

Wonderful song and vocal ___i sure wish Ray would have recorded this

Great collection of photos. Thanks for posting.

This is beautiful, thank you.

Dickinson brought me here.

The song, the sigh of the weary.

BRILLIANT!!!

Beautiful.

beautiful song, excellent vid... very much appreciated

This is really one of the very hard times all the world..Here in India also...

Amazing pictorials.

This is the best.

This is absolutely wonderful. I never heard it before, but someone posted it on FB tonight...goosebumps! Thanks for uploading it,

Sang Mavis touched me dearly