Name: hard times come again no more (feat. Caitlin MacSeamus) by Andrew MacSeamus
Duration: 5 min 11 s
Description: A modern rendition of Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" with updated lyrics and altered melodies. Recorded at Sub Cat Studios as a single take in February of 2023.

I've always loved this song.  Your version is strong and hopeful, beautiful and heartbreaking.  Just perfect.

This is absolutely beautiful!  I just came across it.  I am always thinking of you both!

I Sure Changed the World Today

NOTES & LYRICS ---  I think I was channeling Phil Ochs a little on this one. This started out as a song to poke fun at myself and take Facebook to task for its seedier side, but morphed into something a little more serious about where our nation is heading under the authoritarians and oligarchs who want to set the rules. Bottom line... I don't expect that I can do enough to help when I'm just typing away in my easy chair. Released Feb 2022

Written, performed and recorded by David Mendelsohn. Protected under Creative Commons terms; some rights reserved. This song is free to download for non-commercial use, but please credit me as composer and performer.

LYRICS ----------------------------
I sure changed the world today. I had lots of things to say
My Facebook posts are on the way. I'm sure I saved us from decay.
'Cause I had lots of thoughts to share, clicked lots of likes to show I care.
I'm still in my underwear, while venting my dismay.
Opinions resonate with sympathetic mates.
Then there's some who spread some crazy lies.
Big money, foreign states, spreading fear and hate.
Truth is now just what the public buys.

Share the posts where we agree bash them if we disagree.
Thinking we'll help others see. Our hope's fading by degree.
While we're pawns to the wealthy class, oligarchs and plutocrats,
spreading lies from autocrats who loathe democracy.
Will tyrants rule our land if their voting barriers stand?
Democracy could fail before our eyes.
We're playing to the hands, of puppet masters' plans
if we fail to fight these brazen lies.

I sure changed the world today; not much really, sad to say.
Rabbit holes of Facebook pages won't change hearts much anyway.
So I'm not changing history, posting things that I believe.
Words are droplets in the sea. The hour is getting late.
Words are droplets in the sea. Satan's at the gate... and the hour is getting late.

Polished Turds

I Sure Changed the World Today

A modern rendition of Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" with updated lyrics and altered melodies. Recorded at Sub Cat Studios as a single take in February of 2023.

hard times come again no more

hard times come again no more (feat. Caitlin MacSeamus)

I Love

Pitchforks & Torches

NOTES & LYRICS --- I am still reeling from the 2024 election cycle. This is what it sounded like to me.

Written, performed and recorded by David Mendelsohn. Protected under Creative Commons terms; some rights reserved.  This song is free to download for non-commercial use, but please credit me as composer and performer. Written in 2024.

LYRICS ----------------------------
Pitchforks and torches, that's all that you sell.
Sales are heavenly if you claim we're all in hell.
Groom hate and fear with the lies that you tell.
Pitchforks and torches are all you’ve got to sell.

  Who would have thought that the news would abide
  Shameful behavior that’s now normalized.
  Although the evidence may prove that you’re wrong.
  Repeat the lie for long enough, we’ll all sing along.

  News that I read must be different from yours.
  Opinions are the message; we’re all keeping score.
  I'm shocked by the childish, venal attacks,
  And the landslide of dollars from super-rich hacks.

Pitchforks and torches, that's all that you sell.
It’s us against them and they’re poisoning the well.
You say you have a plan; it’s awfully hard to tell,
When pitchforks and torches are all you seem to sell.

  I can’t understand why smart people think
  our nation is right at catastrophe's brink.
  Or how bold distortions can lead to belief, 
  that hate for our brethren will bring us relief.

  Our nation is prosperous, believe it or not,
  Immigrants are helpful more often than not.
  It’s true, rising costs are a trial and a curse,
  but plans you propose would just make matters worse.

Pitchforks and torches, that's all that you sell.
Finding your truth is a game played with shells.
The smoke from your rage and your burning books’ smells.
Pitchforks and torches are all you’ve got to sell.

  The language of autocrats batters my ears.
  It's not our borders that cause me to fear,
  but dictators' language, heard through history.
  The outcomes of that cannot be a mystery.

  So how would our lives be better for this,
  When winners and losers are ruling with their fists?
  Has government failed us so badly that we
  believe in better living through autocracy?

Pitchforks and torches, that's all that you sell.
Aspiring tyrants win when they make our anger swell.
And that’s how many democracies fell.
When pitchforks and torches are all they had to sell.
With bigotry and anger, this cannot end well.
Pitchforks and torches; Hear the clang of warning bells..

Pitchforks & Torches

Canada Bound

NOTES & LYRICS --- I was still in high school when I wrote this, around 1972.  At the time, it had more meaning than just a jaunt north. Now in 2024, it has renewed meaning for me. Apologies for the poor recording… I did this on tape with sound-on-sound tracks back in 1978.

Written, performed and recorded by David Mendelsohn. Protected under Creative Commons terms; some rights reserved. This song is free to download for non-commercial use, but please credit me as composer and performer. Written in 1972.

LYRICS ----------------------------
Vermont, your sunlight greets me, spreading forth.
Leaving a crimson trail to guide me North,
on the small, red roofs of your town.

Your rolling hills of green. Your grassy plain.
Hey, misty morning, can I find you again,
as the dew drops on my eider-down?
When I'm Canada bound.

Hey, sun, don't hide behind that mountain crest.
I smells so good I think I'll take my rest
on the pine needles on the ground.
Then I'm Canada bound.

Vermont, she always kept me oh so kind.
It's hard to leave her crystal waters behind.
So, for a while, I'll stick around.
Then I'm Canada bound.

Canada Bound

Dawn’s Song

NOTES & LYRICS --- My wife Dawn and I had a long courtship, and I’m so glad she had the patience to stick with me during my years of uncertainty.  As Kenny White wrote, “Love is one part lightning and two parts making up your mind.” This song captured my indecision at the time. Now, more than forty years after we got married, I am so grateful to have her and our family in my life!  

Apologies for the recording quality; this was made as a taped series of sound-on-sound tracks back in 1982.

Written, performed and recorded by David Mendelsohn. Protected under Creative Commons terms; some rights reserved. This song is free to download for non-commercial use, but please credit me as composer and performer. Written in 1982.

LYRICS ----------------------------
Dawned on me, life is easier when you know the
words come free.  You know me more than anybody.
I know I am dark sometimes.
You're a solid foothold to higher climbs.
I know I pull on your rope sometimes.
I'm a fool who looks down.

Dawned on me, that I'm nervous being tied at all	
because I've seen those who would not face the fall.
Another nice thought of mine.
I'm seeing rocks when the view is fine.
You're the best thing on my line.
Please, babe, don't look down.

Dawned on me that I really don't have much to carry.
Restless me.  Maybe I'm just a bit too wary...

Dawned on me, that we'll know it when we reach the peak.
Then we'll see, if the view is really what we seek.
It will be a clearer view.  Dawn will light to air the dew.
Dawn will be on my rope, too.
I'll smile to look down.
I'll smile to look down.

hard times come again no more (feat. Caitlin MacSeamus)

Andrew MacSeamus

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