Selected Music of Stephen Collins foster
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. Hard Times Come Again No More (1855)
1. 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. Chorus: ’Tis the song, the sigh of the weary; Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more: Many days you have lingered around my cabin door; Oh! Hard Times, come again no more. 2. 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. Chorus: 3. There’s a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away, With a worn heart whose better days are o’er: Though her voice would be merry, ’tis sighing all the day Oh! Hard Times come again no more. Chorus: 4. ’Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave, ’Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore, ’Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave, Oh! Hard Times, come again no more. Chorus: This song has been in print and recordings since the Civil War, although for the first few years was obscure. It has been sung in houses of worship, concerts, fraternities, fund raisers, labor rallies, NASCAR races, and even funerals. It has enjoyed a renaissance since the 1950's / 1960's Civil Rights Movements. It is one of his most respected songs. Foster wrote the song while watching despairing people during the Recession of 1855, literally from his study window in Pittsburgh. "Oh Suzanna" is one of the most famous songs in American musical history. Stephen Collins Foster first published the song in 1848 and was his first (perhaps greatest) hit. Some scholars question whether or not Foster actually composed the song, perhaps even plagiarizing it. I feel the revisionist readings ignore the analysis by musicologists at the University of North Texas (one of the top 5 music colleges in the country) which place the song squarely in the Foster body of works. Not to mention, letters, contracts and sheet music from several publishers listed Foster as the composer. Regardless, the song became the unofficial song of the 1849 Gold Rush. Foster intended this to be performed in 'black face' but it quickly moved, with some modifications with lyrics in order to fit the forms, into the folk and music hall traditions. Its popularity remains unchallenged in the 21st century. I've decided to include the 2nd verse which is normally omitted; it's easy to see why due to a harsh piece of language, one the few times Foster used the N-word. By the end of the 1940's, he never used the word again. For most his life, he worked to soften racial epithets and parodies. Oh Suzanna (1847) I came from Alabama Wid my banjo on my knee, I'm g'wan to Louisiana, My true love for to see, It rain'd all night the day I left The weather it was dry, The sun so hot I frose to death Susanna don't you cry. Chorus: Oh! Susanna Oh! Don't you cry for me I've come from Alabama wid mi banjo on my knee. I jumped aboard the telegraph, And trabbled down the riber, De lectric fluid magnified, And killed five hundred nigger[chigger]. * De bullgine bust, de horse run off, I really thought I'd die. I shut my eyes to hold my breath, Susanna don't you cry. Chorus I shut my eyes to hold my breath, Susanna don't you cry. I had a dream de odder night, When ebery ting was still; I thought I saw Susanna, A coming down de hill. The buckwheat cake war in her mouth, The tear was in her eye, Says I, I'm coming from de South, Susanna, don't you cry. Chorus I soon will be in New Orleans, And den I'll look all round, And when I find Susanna, I'll fall upon the ground. But if I do not find her, Dis darkie'l surely die, And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna, don't you cry. Chorus * This second verse is often omitted. Recently the word is changed to 'chigger' or 'mens." Source: The Stephen Foster Song Book (Dover Press) Humor and the war of the sexes were popular topics. Foster wrote melodies for several of these. My Wife is a Most Knowing Woman (1863) Music by Stephen Foster Words by George Cooper 1. My wife is a most knowing woman, She always is finding me out, She never will hear explanations But instantly puts me to rout, There’s no use to try to deceive her, If out with my friends, night or day, In the most inconceivable manner She tells where I’ve been right away, She says that I’m “mean” and “inhuman” Oh! my wife is a most knowing woman. 2. She would have been hung up for witchcraft If she had lived sooner, I know, There’s no hiding any thing from her, She knows what I do – where I go; And if I come in after midnight And say “I have been to the lodge,” Oh, she says while she flies in fury, “Now don’t think to play such a dodge! It’s all very fine, but wont do, man,” Oh, my wife is a most knowing woman. 3. Not often I go to dinner And come home a little “so so,” I try to creep up through the hall-way, As still as a mouse, on tip-toe, She’s sure to be waiting up for me And then comes a nice little scene, “What, you tell me you’re sober, you wretch you, Now don’t think that I am so green! My life is quite worn out with you, man,” Oh, my wife is a most knowing woman! |
Was My Brother in the Battle (1862)
1. Tell me, tell me weary soldier from the rude and stirring wars, Was my brother in the battle where you gained those noble scars? He was ever brave and valiant, and I know he never fled, Was his name among the wounded or numberd with the dead? Was my brother in the battle when the tide of war ran high? You would know his in a thousand by his dark and dashing eye. Refrain Tell me, tell me weary soldier, will he never come again, Did he suffer ’mid the wounded or die among the slain? 2. Was my brother in the battle when the noble Highland host Were so wrongfully outnumbered on the Carolina coast; Did he struggle for the Union ’mid the thunder and the rain, Till he fell among the brave on a bleak Virginia plain? Oh, I’m sure that he was dauntless and his courage ne’er would lag While contending for the honor of our dear and cherished flag. Refrain: 3. Was my brother in the battle when the flag of Erin came To the rescue of our banner and the protection of our fame, While the fleet from off the waters poured out terror and dismay Till the bold and erring foe fell like leaves on Autumn day? When the bugle called to battle and the cannon deeply roared, Oh! I wish I could have seen him draw his sharp and glittering sword. Refrain: This particular song has remained popular while America is at war, especially when the casualty lists are posted. It's power to move has not been lost over the last 150 years. Below is a production found on Youtube memorializing African Americans who served in the Armed Forces from the 1750's through the Gulf Wars. (Sorry about the Ads) Video clip linked through You Tube under Fair Use Laws.
 Cover of Song Book of Original Sheet Music
"Oh Susanna" On The Trail
This performance, by Thomas Hampson, one of America's highly respected opera stars, is performed in the Parlor Music style, solo voice with piano accompaniment.
Video clip used under Fair Use law. 4. She knows me much better than I do, Her eyes are like those of a lynx, Though how she discovers my secrets Is a riddle would puzzle a sphynx, On fair days, when we go out walking, If ladies look at me askance, In the most harmless way, I assure you, My wife gives me, oh! such a glance, And says “all these insults you’ll rue, man,” Oh, my wife is a most knowing woman. 5. Yes, I must give all of my friends up If I would live happy and quiet; One might as well be’neath a tombstone As live in confusion and riot. This life we all know is a short one, While some tongues are long, heaven knows, And a miserable life is a husbands, Who numbers his wife with his foes, I’ll stay at home like a true man, For my wife is a most knowing woman. Source: The Stephen Foster Song Book (Dover Press). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
