Lyr Add: 2 verses of 'Hard Times'

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 2 verses of 'Hard Times'
From: Jim Lad
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 06:46 PM

I'm sorry. I just can't get my head around those two verses being written by the same author as the rest. Not saying that it's a prank or a hoax, just not Foster. No way.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 2 verses of 'Hard Times'
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 07:59 AM

I first had those verses years (no: decades) ago from Packie Manus Byrne, before this song became a favourite on the folk scene. (I think it was made popular, or at least helped along hugely, after Mary Black recorded it with De Danann, which brought it to the attention to a lot of folks.) I would say he is the source from which John M and Jo F got them (though I haven't asked them) because I know he had these words well before then.

It would not surprise me at all if he had written them because he has a gift for verse (and for blarney!), though the Woody Guthrie info above is new to me. Packie is not a particular Guthrie fan and doesn't follow his work, so it would be interesting to see WG's exact words and compare the two sets. But the verses above are pretty much word for word what Packie gave me back in the late 70s or early 80s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 2 verses of 'Hard Times'
From: Carol
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 09:55 AM

I've been enjoying singing Hard Times for about 20 years, usually as a finishing song or if I'm in a noisy room and want people to shut up and listen. I think I got the words from Steve Tunrner's singing and started off with Let us pause, then the Cotton buds, then the Banjo, then while we seek mirth and pleasure.
Then a while ago I acquired the words, I think from Foster's sheet music for the 2 other verses but didn't sing them for a long time as I wasn't too fussed on the Pale drooping maiden or the wail (yes it always reminds me of Whale) and the dirge.
However for the last couple of years I think I've ended up singing all 6 verses as I just think it's a great song - and I have to admit to sometimes repeating the first verse at the end!
Long may the song reign in whatever version people want to sing it!
Hopefully we all use the same tune!!!