I swear I'd pay money to hear Thomas Hampson sing the telephone directory. I can offer no higher praise for absolutely everything he sings in his lucious voice is delivered with warmth, sincerity, subtle tone colouring and deep feeling for the text.
I am amazed! 54 likes, 0 dislikes. Usually there is someone who wants to dislike just to be rude. I love this song so much. I am happy I could hear a perfect version, I have heard many a version of this song, this is the best. Once again, Thank You so much! +1 Like
Thank you. This song came to mind today and I came to RU-vid to hunt it down. I believe I have listened to over two dozen versions here, and they have ranged from bad to horrible. In virtually every case, the singer thinks him or herself more important than the music. That has included people who should know better like Nanci Griffith and James Taylor and the McGarrigle Sisters. This is the first version I have heard sung clear and clean and sad and sweet. It is beautiful. Many Thanks.
+Alasdair Thomson just listened to Johnny Cash, yes two different approaches both powerful. Mr Cash's voice adds a genuineness that is not in this version
This is a very popular piece of music,covered many different Artists..And most bring different interpretations,but that's all good..And this version is also beautiful..
LYRICS: 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
This is such a great dirge and I have heard it beautifully done by many of our most talented artists. IMHO the best I've ever heard is by Mare Winningham from the movie "Georgia" (1995) I'd never really thought of as a singer but, her version of this is exquisite.
Max, you are so very right. But I think you should rethink your point that the named singers "should know better" than to "think [themselves] more important than the music. And check out the Springsteen version for a "singer" who is presenting HIMSELF, rather than music, to his audience.
question: where does thomas hampson get off singing this son? answer: same place stephen foster got off writing it. beautiful, but not a bit genuine from conception onward.
Really, the McGarrigle sisters, whiny and nasal? And the boy Hampson is better because he's 'trained'? Plainly he doesn't know baritone from tenor either. He's trained to do what? Have a crap haircut and posture pointlessly?
What an ignorant, insulting rant on your part. Thomas Your observation about Mr Hampson's haircut is totally irrelevant. All that matters is that he's one of the world's finest lyric baritones; his rendition of this beatifiul, heartstoping song is deeply felt, not just every phrase but every word. His portrayal brought a lump to my throat. He's a great exponent of Stephen Foster's songs, loving all of them as much as I do. Your 'contribution' , if I can grace it with that word, is shameful, saying more about you than the object of your pathetic derision. (Don't even think of responding for I'll delete your attempt immediately, unread.)
