Let us pause in life's pleasures
And count it's 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

It's the song, the sign of the weary
Hard times, hard times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered all
Around my cabin door
Oh hard times, come again no more

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

There's a pale drooping maiden who
Toils her life away with a worn heart
Whose better days are o'er
Though her voice it would be merry
It's sighing all the day
Oh, hard times, come again no more