Hard Times Come Again No More – Sheet Music

‘Hard Times’ as it’s sometimes known, is an American parlour song, written by Stephen Foster and published in 1854.  Its lyrics are still vividly relevant in today’s world as it asks the more fortunate to consider the plight of those with less.  It has been covered by many artists, notably Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash.  The version by The Proclaimers is also worth a listen.

Like many subsequent versions the melody in this arrangement is more syncopated than the original.  The slower verse section passes the tune between tenor and the sopranos.

The altos get a little trick in the chorus as their part skips underneath the tune.  This might need special attention as well as the accelerando for all at the beginning of the chorus, as the walking line from the tenors and basses kick in.

As the chorus repeats the sopranos get an optional descant line to increase the thigh slapping and feet stomping potential.  This arrangement can easily be expanded with additional chorus repetitions and recapitulations of the verses.

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