Hard Times (Come Again No More) forms part of the double A-side release from Cole Stacey's debut solo album ‘Postcards From Lost Places’.

Filmed at St Paul's Church, Yelverton
Video by Emily Wood
Trad (Arr), produced: C.Stacey
All instruments & vocals: C.Stacey
Mastering: Martin Nichols (White House Studio)

‘Postcards From Lost Places’ is scheduled for release on 7th February 2025.

Special thanks to Rev Andrew and Richard.

"This is pretty much a live recording of me playing and singing at St Paul’s Church in Yelverton, Devon, using their fragile but beautiful Steinway Piano to create a sound which feels real and hopefully takes you to that moment with me, with dappled light streaming through the stained glass church windows as I played.

It’s a reworking of a traditional song from 1854, originally an expression of suffering and hardship and made popular in the American Civil War. I wanted to strip the song back to its core melody and sing the words in a way which can be interpreted as hope, a modern-day affirmation for a better future, be that for the wider world or you personally – it’s there to take it as you need it.

Performing and recording this in a local church felt the only right thing to do with this song – beyond religion, churches can often be a central point for a community, a familiar sight to all, spiritual or not you can’t help but feel the importance of having a place of sanctuary standing the test of time, for whenever it may be required"

There’s a sign that is painted across the troubled wave
There’s a cry that is heard upon the shore;
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say,
Oh, hard times come again no more.

It’s the song, the sigh of the weary,
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Hard Times, come again no more.
Oh, hard times come again no more.

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.

It’s the song, the sigh of the weary,
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Hard Times, come again no more.
Oh, hard times come again no more.

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#newmusic
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