"Hard Times Come Again No More" by Stephen Foster (1854) --- [rubato vocals, clear legato vocals, high quality, upscale, complex harmonies] [Introduction] [Measures 1–4] [humming] mm oo [Soprano: G held – move to a short melodic phrase outlining G major G – A – B – C – B – A – G] [Alto: E held – move in stepwise motion for light inner harmonies] [Tenor: B held – possibly moves down to A and back] [Bass: G low – can add a simple passing tone to D or F♯ to keep the chord interesting] [Aim for a softly layered build, so the choir “blooms” harmonically into the first verse.] [Verse 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 [Refrain] ’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 [Verse 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 [Repeat Refrain] [Verse 3] There's a pale weeping 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 [Repeat Refrain]
