Always been a favorite. One of the youtube videos has striking pictures from the depression years, which I remember, being an old timer.
I like several renditions- from Thomas Hampson- a professional concert and opera star- to the one by the Daltons recommended by Bill D. And I just realized that the one with the pictures from the 1930s is the choral performance also mentioned by Bill D.

The song itself was sung widely from the time the sheet music was first published in 1854; every home with a piano had sheet music or compilations of his songs. I have a book of Foster songs that belonged to my grandmother. Foster was and is is America's greatest song writer, although a number of the songs belong to another era; "Hard Times..." is one of those which is timeless.

Anyone wishing to explore the full range of Foster's music should bookmark stephen-foster-songs.de, which has full sheet music and wonderful midis of all of his songs. Also many other old favorites.
Stephen Foster

A Civil War song of his which should be better known is "A Soldier in the Colored Brigade." The hymn "He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters" is never heard, and the sentiments of "There's a Good Time Coming" perhaps could be sung as a follow-up to "Hard Times Come Again No More."