This song is the anthem of Americans. Not of the United States of America as a nation, but of its people. The people who have come from countless different backgrounds, are many different skin colors, practice many different religions, and believe many different things, but all share hardships as well as prosperity. Let us all work together to build the America of the future, one where hard times truly come again no more.
After the first couple of bars by the piano it was clear that this was going to be special. I had goose bumps the second the vocals came in. Her voice is, obviously, special. Her phrasing is beautiful and she doesn’t overdo altering the melody at all. Perfect. ☺️
Yes. Truly powerful. Although my grandmother who was born in 1884 sang this to me in 1950 when I was a young child. She'd lived through the post Civil War years and the Great Depression and for different reasons than Mavis Staples knew what the lyrics truly meant.
This great lady gathered up all the hurt, sadness, disappointment, prejudice, bloodshed and lynching of her people's ancestors right down to the moment she stood in front of that microphone with her forgiving smile and she just let her God given talent cry out this heartfelt prayer to God ,asking for a lull in the suffering for her present day brothers and sisters into the future, black and white amen
Wow...hearing this song for the first time in a movie called A Chance Encounter made me look up this amazing song. Mavis Maple sings with so much emotion! ❤❤❤❤
I find this cover just as moving today as I did when I first heard it a few years ago. Mavis is simply awesome, the pianist is spot on, and I think everyone in that studio knew they were capturing something special. How ironic, too, as James Taylor has pointed out, this was written by the great Stephen Foster who died penniless.
Sharing a beautiful song. I dedicate it all who are going through hard times. Especially all the recent hurricane victims and those who have lost sweet loved ones
Mavis Staples is a National Treasure! Indeed, the entire Staples Family is as well. Immortality is writing a song so compelling , it survives your death by 150 years! Stephen Foster IS immortal.
👑EVERYTHING MAVIS TOUCH BECOMES HERS,AND NO ONE CAN COME BEHIND HER AND DO IT BETTER! SHE OWNS THEM! EXCELLENT JOB MAVIS!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👑👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿💥
👑September 16,2019! I,m listening to her now sing it on "PBS" on a special documentary about country and blue grass history! Love Mavis and her family! I lived 3 houses from the Staples in Dolton,Illinois the far Southside of Chicago. BEAUTIFUL and loving family! Macie as we called her is SOOOOO DOWN TO EARTH!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💥💣❤👑👌🏿100%👈🏿
Each day you awake and race through your day in hope of staving hard times, some days you trip over it, I am alive only at the behest of a young bride who stopped and gave me precious CPR, until Morrow county EMS arrived to finish her efforts, grace goes to god, my life to her...... thank people you don’t know, I think this is my saving grace, let it be yours
Mavis Staples is beyond anything describable by me. All I can say is I,d give a lot to meet this Powerful, most Soulful,never to be matched again, type of singer.She,s surely blessed and I love her..
Oh man was not expecting one of the Staples singers . The version she sang of the weight with the band is hella good and possibly one of my favorite versions
BEAUTIFUL!!! Her voice reminds me of my school teacher, piano teacher and my guardian angel Muriel Wilkins!! Muriel was not famous except in the song walking in Memphis and in the hearts of those who loved her.
That's what I'm doing right now- watching episode 2 of PBS's "Country Music" and soon as I heard that one of a kind voice at the beginning, I'm going 'Man, that sounds almost like.....no it is Ms. Mavis!". With the closing song of episode 1- the great Jimmie Rodgers cover of "Mule Skinner's Blues"(Blue Yodel #8) by another vocal genius named Dolly, this series excellent choice of songs is keeping me searching online. Well, back to watching episode 2! Sing it Ms. Mavis!!
What a very great beautiful woman Mavis Staples is. She puts soul into every song that she sings, I bet Mavis could put new soles of my batter old worn out shoes
The first time I heard this song was sung by Stefan Scaggiari and it was so beautiful. I am so pleased to hear this version by Mavis Staples. Well done, my sister in Christ!
This song is the anthem of Americans. Not of the United States of America as a nation, but of its people. The people who have come from countless different backgrounds, are many different skin colors, practice many different religions, and believe many different things, but all share hardships as well as prosperity. Let us all work together to build the America of the future, one where hard times truly come again no more.
I agree.
There's a reason it's the music for America in Civ 6
It reminds me of Patti Smith espirit ,the people still have the power to shift to our most desired reality ❤
After the first couple of bars by the piano it was clear that this was going to be special. I had goose bumps the second the vocals came in. Her voice is, obviously, special. Her phrasing is beautiful and she doesn’t overdo altering the melody at all. Perfect. ☺️
Right!
This is, hands down, the most powerful version of this song I've ever heard.
Yes. Truly powerful. Although my grandmother who was born in 1884 sang this to me in 1950 when I was a young child. She'd lived through the post Civil War years and the Great Depression and for different reasons than Mavis Staples knew what the lyrics truly meant.
I love this one, and Johnny Cashs performance. I cant pick a best.
Theresa F Amen and Amen.
I just wish she would have sung the third verse also which is seldom heard and lyricly the best.
Theresa F Yup
This is so moving and appropriate to the time we are going through as a nation!
Appropriate = much needed.
That's right.
Yes.
Yee
I’m from the future hard times came again
Beautiful song. Wish it was about the past!
What a delightful performance to stumble upon today.
My heart aches as I listen. The ultimate interpretation of this song. What a gift her voice is to the world.
Listen to her sing...God Bless The Children...it gives me chills!
Yes!!!
Divine in every way. Thank you Mavis
We are surely in hard times now. Thank you, Mavis Staples, for comforting and inspiring me.
This great lady gathered up all the hurt, sadness, disappointment, prejudice, bloodshed and lynching of her people's ancestors right down to the moment she stood in front of that microphone with her forgiving smile and she just let her God given talent cry out this heartfelt prayer to God ,asking for a lull in the suffering for her present day brothers and sisters into the future, black and white amen
AMEN. GOD bless your comment said Everything! Pray folks would wake up to this. Let this divisiveness stop. Thank you precious Mavis 🙏🎶✝️🌹🤠
Wonderfully written comment.
Man, this song still resonates with me. 150+ years since it was written and it is so relevant. Thank you!
The young don't appreciate this song. The older I get, the more this song means to me.
The BEST version of Syephen Foster's classic song. Thanks Mavis.
Beautiful song beautifully sung
This song, and its vocalist, is perfection.
A great song, a great singer who knows the emotion of the song. Excellent work.
Mavis Staples. Wow
I have nothing new to add to the comments. This is simply gorgeous playing on the part of every musician and Mavis is transcendent.
Wow...hearing this song for the first time in a movie called A Chance Encounter made me look up this amazing song. Mavis Maple sings with so much emotion! ❤❤❤❤
Mavis nails it. The emotion is so real.
oh my that look on Mavis' face. I feel she knows the magnitude of the blessing she is giving us. 02:34
so beautiful. I would wish that the hard times will bring us all closer and make us kinder to each other.
There are doing it
I find this cover just as moving today as I did when I first heard it a few years ago. Mavis is simply awesome, the pianist is spot on, and I think everyone in that studio knew they were capturing something special. How ironic, too, as James Taylor has pointed out, this was written by the great Stephen Foster who died penniless.
I totally agree with you. Well put.
Don't know that it could be given any greater honor!
38 cents in his pocket when he died.
We used this for the cancer survivor's lap at our Relay For Life event- absolutely beautiful.
This is my FAVORITE FOSTER SONG
I want this played at my funeral.
I'm just floored. Bless Mavis Staples
She is such a beautiful soul. Thank God for Mavis!
Stephen Foster was really someone special. A great version here.
This is the only version of this song that truly moves me. So powerful ❤️😭
Sharing a beautiful song. I dedicate it all who are going through hard times. Especially all the recent hurricane victims and those who have lost sweet loved ones
What a national treasure and great gift to the world Mavis has been for so many years.
Mavis Staples is a National Treasure! Indeed, the entire Staples Family is as well. Immortality is writing a song so compelling , it survives your death by 150 years! Stephen Foster IS immortal.
The finest version of this song that has ever been ...
A beautiful gospel version by a beautiful gospel singer.
I totally agree!!!
The best version. Ever.
Moves me to tears every time I watch it!
👑EVERYTHING MAVIS TOUCH BECOMES HERS,AND NO ONE CAN COME BEHIND HER AND DO IT BETTER! SHE OWNS THEM! EXCELLENT JOB MAVIS!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👑👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿💥
Mavis is a legend. This woman just fills me up with emotion with eveything she does!
Just heard this 9/16/19,Mavis this is beautiful,your fan from Lumberton NC!!
👑September 16,2019! I,m listening to her now sing it on "PBS" on a special documentary about country and blue grass history! Love Mavis and her family! I lived 3 houses from the Staples in Dolton,Illinois the far Southside of Chicago. BEAUTIFUL and loving family! Macie as we called her is SOOOOO DOWN TO EARTH!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💥💣❤👑👌🏿100%👈🏿
I JUST MIS SPELLED MAVIS' NICKNAME BELOW.IT,S MAVIE,NOT MACIE,MY BAD!🤣👌🏿
It's just more than Beautiful... it's to inspire your Soul..
Sweet Sweet Sounds Amen 🙏
Classic Stephen Foster.
Best. Ever.
Love this song. What a voice filled with such soul!!!!!!
I'm moved to tears by her beautiful voice and sincere sentiment.
Each day you awake and race through your day in hope of staving hard times, some days you trip over it, I am alive only at the behest of a young bride who stopped and gave me precious CPR, until Morrow county EMS arrived to finish her efforts, grace goes to god, my life to her...... thank people you don’t know, I think this is my saving grace, let it be yours
I love all of you, my fellow humans........ I have seen the blackness, God is not for you to fear, I AM HIS LIVING PROOF
Thanks for great song! Hard times come again no more
Stephen Foster and Mavis Staples = perfection!!!
Immediately. Yes ma’am. And yes Stephen Foster.
Doesn't get any better than that. Whew!
To the people of Baltimore who are suffering and in struggle every day. May God comfort you and ease your hearts.
The piano player is Matt Rollings (plays with Lyle Lovett amongst others)
Thanks for letting me know . I have been wondering who plays the piano.
I've researched many interpretations of this with a view to performing it. This is the best. Pianist ans singer feeding each other.
Lord, that was stunning.Thank you for promoting it here.
This has to be our message as we turn to 2021. Thank you Mavis!
It just doesn't get any truer than that ♥️♥️♥️♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Wonderful rendition - a beautiful song as timeless as poverty and pain.
Lovely words! I agree.
Amazing.
a beautiful song sung by a beautiful woman
I dont know which i love more.
This version or John Cash.
I am blessed to listen to both.
Truly an experience
Takes your heart. Takes your soul.___ this is forever
I can't believe I just heard this song, for the 1st time ever, last night on the tv series "Parenthood"; incredibly beautiful.
MERCY!! Sing it WOW!
Beautiful song with a beautiful lady singing. Danke!
This is one of the most beautiful versions of this song (there are many). She has an amazingly soothing voice.
What a great song for today!
Just speechless…
Powerful as this piece deserves and requires! Beautiful, earth moving!
this is one of the best songs i've ever heard
Wow, that was a powerful song!
this version was recommended in Chronicles Magazines 3/2018. Thanks.
BEAUTIFUL VERSION OF THIS SONG! You are blessed Ms. Staples!
THAT'S how you sing a song.
A wonderful version of this song my favorite, what a voice!
Mavis Staples is beyond anything describable by me. All I can say is I,d give a lot to meet this Powerful, most Soulful,never to be matched again, type of singer.She,s surely blessed and I love her..
I have heard this song sung by so many great singers, but this is by far the best. Stephen Foster would have a huge smile on his face
Wonderful. Mavis Staples. Thank you.
Mavis Staples moves me and my soul like no other
I adore Mavis Staples voice...her songs and voice left my soul! God bless you, Mavis! :)
Love this... thank you "momma"!
👑September 16,2019..who else is listening now?👑👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💥💣
right now!!!!
Great music will have listeners forever
I would have but they opened my chest to repair my heart, praise GOD I have a little more time on earth
Mavis. You are beautiful. I so sincerely love your rendition of this song. It is so soulful and different to what I have heard. Abosolutely lovely :)
Lord sang that song Mavis. I know about what you saying!!Love it...
Oh man was not expecting one of the Staples singers . The version she sang of the weight with the band is hella good and possibly one of my favorite versions
Bully for you, Mavis!
I see what you did there :)
Chills. SO beautiful.
Timeless ! Great Mavis. MV
Wow i'm in tears of joy
Mavis gives every song she does soul, absolutely beautiful.
A chaque fois elle me fait pleurer... Magnifique!...
+AdrienBallon
Moi aussi. Moi aussi.
I love you
tears in my eyes
Love it. Best solo I have ever heard of this, my favorite USA song. Foster was something like a prophet -- a voice retelling what was heard from God.
BEAUTIFUL!!! Her voice reminds me of my school teacher, piano teacher and my guardian angel Muriel Wilkins!! Muriel was not famous except in the song walking in Memphis and in the hearts of those who loved her.
This Lady can sing. Tears in my eyes. I love Music and singing.
Watching PBS County Music. ♡♡
That's what I'm doing right now- watching episode 2 of PBS's "Country Music" and soon as I heard that one of a kind voice at the beginning, I'm going 'Man, that sounds almost like.....no it is Ms. Mavis!". With the closing song of episode 1- the great Jimmie Rodgers cover of "Mule Skinner's Blues"(Blue Yodel #8) by another vocal genius named Dolly, this series excellent choice of songs is keeping me searching online. Well, back to watching episode 2! Sing it Ms. Mavis!!
What a very great beautiful woman Mavis Staples is. She puts soul into every song that she sings, I bet Mavis could put new soles of my batter old worn out shoes
The first time I heard this song was sung by Stefan Scaggiari and it was so beautiful. I am so
pleased to hear this version by Mavis Staples. Well done, my sister in Christ!
So beautiful wow. ✋✋✋✋Important message.
I love Mavis, she's a guiding light foir me. We played her music at my mom's funeral, it was the best way to goodbye....thank you Mavis. Respect: OBOM
yes hard times come but God promised us He will be with us even in hard times
My god, that was beyond fabulous. Thank you Ms Staples and Ellis Creative.