Join us after the stream for a bit of an afterparty and talk about the preorder campaign! The video should automatically link over there, but just in case... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z92jed2mlq6Xk30.html

Amazing how a song that is 167 years old feels so appropriate especially after the last two years or so.

11 years ago, stuck in the Great Recession and on the verge of losing our house (retained by an employment miracle), my boyfriend and I dared to get married. Our friends basically threw us a party. The band at our wedding played for tips/donations, and this was one of the songs they played. And everyone danced, and said it was a great wedding. Our anniversary is on the 23rd. This video made me cry happy tears of nostalgia to find it, making me think back on those times.

“I’ve got banjo” “I’ll get drums” “I call violin” “BEANS”

Stephen Foster died in his mid 30's with 36 cents to his name, yet his songs are stillbeing sung 100 years later. This is one of his best.

This song plays in Sid Meyers Civilization VI and I get goosebumps whenever I hear it play. Cannot think of another song to better represent perseverance and the American spirit. Great job guys.

I am an old man, but can play my guitar to this piece... and I get enormouse pleasure watching these young happy people. THANK YOU ALL.

I love the symbolism in this video. Andy is in a small cabin furnished with nothing but pallets, haybales, a couple seats, and a thick layer of grime. Dave is in a similarly empty and dirty building. JD is sitting outside a long overgrown building that seems to be partially missing a wall. Robbie is next to a tree stump and a chunk of wood with no more limbs to chop off. They are all alone. But then JD joins Andy, and sits down with a smile. Soon, they are joined by the rest of the band, including some other musicians. Then some more friends come in and start to tidy up: Sweep the floor, straighten the bales, right a chair. More friends join in, and as they add pillows to the bales, flower vases to the sills, and lights hanging along the walls, the empty stone cabin is transformed into the coziest gathering of friendship I have ever seen. As more people come, the room is filled with both possessions and joy.

In my opinion, the best song ever written by Stephen Collins Foster - rightly regarded as the wellspring of American folk music. As someone who's studied his life in exquisite detail, and is currently writing a biography of him, I adore this version. And I'm sure Stephen would as well - it's just the right mix of reflective, melancholy, and yet hopeful for a brighter future.

Well that was delish! Top job, lads. Video was sick, too!

When you released this I was on day 15 of an 18 day hospital stay and I just want you guys to know how much this song helped me power through those last few days and gave me joy and hope when I really felt there was none left. I hope you all see how much your music impacts people. Keep up the great work!! ❤️

Made me weirdly emotional, in a good way Also this dropped on my birthday that's sick

As a law student pinching every penny to get by and still support my family after certain trials and tribulations, I greatly enjoy this song as a momentary reprieve from my work and study.

This should be a national anthem.

In tears just SEEING people being able to gather together again.

I just realized that this is Teddy's theme in Civilization. Mind. Blown. Awayyy

So, I was originally introduced to this song by the video game Far Cry 5, where you can occasionally hear it drifting through the Montana wilderness, leading you to a man with a guitar, playing as two Militia fighters dance gently around a campfire... Your rendition very nearly drove me to tears. It sounds victorious, and joyful, and it reminds me of those two dancing soldiers. It is extremely folksy, both full-blooded American and extraordinarily British, and, well... Thank you so much!

It is such a joy to watch this newer generation performing the songs I grew up loving.

I grew up listening to Foster's music (born and raised 20 minutes from "my old kentucky home")...to say it's incredibly special to hear you boys sing this song is an understatement. There's a yearly musical here in Kentucky that I've been blessed to be around for years, we couldn't have a season in 2020, but this cover makes me feel all the feels of being able to have people back again this summer.

I'll never stop coming back to this song.. It's honestly what I listen to when I am just so down Like right now, with all the world's problems, no friends, no one I can talk to, I just need the hard times to end

I wasn't expecting an American Folk song any day soon from you, lads. But I absolutely glad you did it, most adequate! Definitely made me smile today!

The hug at 03:10 and the smile at 03:38 were easily the most beautiful part of not only the video but my day!

I lost my job 2 months ago. I came here and listened to this right away. Today, I’m opening my own store! This song has been ringing in my ears all day. Good on ya, lads 💙

The main theme sounds like the Hobbit Shire theme. This is some kind of melancholic, country fashioned, deeply hopeful masterpiece. You guys are the answer to the question "who's your favourite Artist?". Cheers to you and everybody around here!

Another great rendition of this great song is the civ VI america theme. Wonderful rendition boys, this is such a beautiful song, and you really did it honour.

You know it's gonna be good when they pull out the banjo for the start

Teddy Roosevelt sent me (CIv VI players know what I'm talking about lol) Really great rendition of this song. Nearly brought a tear to my eye and definitely sent a shiver down my back

Listening to this song at the end of one of the worst years of my life. It's almost a hope, almost a prayer. Hard times come again no more.

It is in fact impossible not to play the air banjo while listening to this great song!

Andy's smile at 3:38 has brought me to tears every time I watch this video. What a beautiful song, and beautifully done.

After taking the lead as the most locked-down city in the world a few weeks ago, Melbourne is finally coming out of lockdown tonight! This is the perfect song for the moment. Beautiful and heart warming. Thank you, Longest Johns 🙏❤️

If the rest of the album is this adequate, hard times will come again no more. Great video!

This gave me goosebumps. Something about them starting alone in their respective locations and then ending all together just got to me. Truly beautiful.

This song is getting me through the current hard times and will surely help get me through the harder times to come

There are multiple great versions of this song but I've listened to this one about 18 times in the last two days. This is the kind of music I love to play on my acoustic guitar and my standup bass. The harmonies are 🤏 chef's kiss

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 '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 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 '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 There's a pale weeping 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 '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 '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 '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 '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 Oh hard times come again no more Oh hard times come again no more

This video just gave me +50 Sanity

It's been 6 years since both my parents passed (different incidents, 2 months apart, and almost a year since I lost everything (house, pets, best friend), I'm finally getting back on my feet with a great new job (and my old good one as a part time gig) and the help of my sister and brother in law. Making a better life for me and my son one day at a time

Excellent video again Abbie. Brilliant.

The excitement is real!

I used to go camping every summer and without fail, this song would get sung every single time. It's been 7 years since I sang it at a campfire (or sang it at all). 40-odd campers singing it round a campfire is something that I doubt I'll ever experience again, but this version has its own beauty.

I get some very O Brother Where Art Thou vibes from this. Also that banjo hits me with some By The Rising Of The Moon vibes as well. Great song.

Best part of the whole video? Andy's beautiful smile at 3:39

I was searching for this song after hearing it on the show Any Day Now. A hurricane went through the city and it was played at the end. Such a beautiful song. ✝️☮️

We just finished with this song in my Men’s choir last semester (my last semester in college/uni.) I miss the old days, singing in the Lads, adorned in Kilt and all. Very meaningful to see this song from one of my favorite groups!!! Week made! Thanks gents

I had a friend many years ago who would throw ceilithe similar to this. Everyone was expected to bring at least one of a musical instrument, a song, a piece of poetry, a homemade potluck dish, or supplies or food for the grills (one vegan, and one carnivore.) A stage would be set up, and people would take turns entertaining each other all afternoon and evening as we sang, danced, and ate. Really, the very best kind of party.

This song has gotten me through so much, just like everyone else who's commenting. I want to call out the beautiful cinematography, though. The beginning of the video has a desaturated/"cold" white balance, but after the lights turn on at 3:05 and the party begins, saturation returns and the white balance shifts to "warm". Absolutely gorgeous reflection of what's happening within the video and the warmth that good friends bring!

This has been my life anthem for the last three years. You guys just performed the best version I ever heard! When the people stepped in for the celebration I started crying like a baby. I lost pretty much everything in the last three years and I'm fighting tooth and nail to restart. Whatever honor I can bestow on you guys, which isn't much, I bestow it. The most I can really do is thank you and pray for you guys if that's your thing. Best wishes!

as a one of the frontliners who is stuck in a place in which nobody cares about me ...this song really makes me push through in life ..so thank you for this music

That banjo playing at the very start reminds me of "The Rising of the Moon" beautiful work folks!

This is one of my fave songs. The other one is "bones in the ocean".

So incredibly hyped! I won't be able to focus on schoolwork until this premieres. There goes half my day!

I really love this. I sought it after hearing it on Radio 2's folk show (saved on my TV box) while using it as quiet background to a migraine. I had to write down the details (believe me, very few things would have got my head off the pillow) and today, migraine free, it sounds even better.

Lads, this is beautiful. I've heard about one zillion versions of this song and never thought I'd hear one to challenge my personal favoring of Appalachian Road Show's ultra melancholic rendition. But I've never heard and seen it done like this. Other versions might evoke, for the modern listener, the depths of the pandemic, pre-vax, no shows, lockdown, isolation, the plea of a reprieve. This one has so many new layers of beautiful complexity because most of us have now experienced hope of an end, live music again, the return of experiences long lost, and even when there are setbacks we're struggling into the light. A smile with still-wounded hearts and a tear in our eye. But dancing. So gorgeous. Thank you for this work of art.

The best and fastest way to bring urban and rural America together is this song. Despite our regional disagreements and bantering over the election results, all that any of us really wants is “oh hard times hard times come again no more.”

I can't believe they did (or are going to do, I haven't seen it yet) hard times come again no more. One of my favorite songs.

Genuinely teared up to see everyone so happy and together again. 💜 Much love to you, lads

Seeing this with the past year in retrospect and all the C-19 stuff, seeing your video with everyone dancing and hugging and bidding the hard times come again no more has never been so poignant. (It's my birthday tomorrow and after a lot of very hard times, this has really made me smile, thank you!)

It just warms my heart to see Andy’s smile. The look is so pure and joyful, that it makes me (and probably everyone else) smile myself.

Beautiful and harmonious. A group of men committed to musical excellency no matter the day/age/theme. 10/10 will listen to again and forever!

This is absolutely one of my favorite songs and I was happy to hear you singing it. I loved the banjo and the drums and bass was perfect. Then came the fiddle, another welcome addition. I was singing along on the chorus and watched the space being cleared. Folks showed up and I saw the smile on Andy's face and I got it. I got what you were singing and I realized I was crying. Oh fellows, we all wish hard times were past us and we could gather in a space like that. Around here... we're not there yet. But thanks for singing the dream of us all.

this has a very post-Covid feel to it which genuinely made me both tear up and feel all warm inside. Such a beautiful video (and song)!

Powerful song, I find myself singing now from time to time. I like this version the best because of the upbeat nature. Rather than focusing on the pain and seemingly asking the fates: This version celebrates overcoming!

Wonder if we are at the beginning of a second folk revival...

First time I heard this song was by a couple called East Mountain South. It was the most melancholy song I’d ever heard. I like the upbeat version here though, it’s refreshing

Greetings The Longest Johns! By sheer happenstance, I stumbled upon your music from looking up the song "Wayfaring Stranger". I loved your version of that song so much that I decided to look up your band and check out more from you gentlemen. I have been listening to your music now for the last hour or so and I am in complete awe. I even got emotional! Music has ALWAYS been such a massive part of my life, it's the very bedrock of my being. I would truly be lost without music. My Mother passed a few years ago and the greatest gift she ever bestowed upon me was the love of music! I carry her with me to this day and the bond we shared through music is something that I will treasure til the day that I die. I just wanted to say that your music really spoke to me and I'm thankful that in 2022 I came across your band. You now have a new fan in me. Cheers to you gentlemen! Thanks for the great tunes!

Fantastic, utterly fantastic....

So I listened to this song with my good headphones for the first time today and just... Holy shit. I couldn't appreciate how nice the mixing was before now. With headphones, this song is not only just a fantastic banger, but it actually feels like a warm hug. Incredible. I love it so much!

This hits hard for me. I'm sure we're all ready for the hard times to be gone, and we can hug our friends again...

I have to say the instrumental after the chorus starts oddly similar to By the Rising of the Moon/The Orange and the Green and I was like "did the song just change?!". I very much enjoyed that lol

I'm impressed it was all tuned and everything straight out of the box.

This is easily one of my favourite songs of all. And my third favourite song from you lads. (Moby duck and Here's a health are untouchable)

I started listening to the Longest Johns probably over a decade ago. Thinking this is amazing, this is as good as my favorite type of music gets. Then they keep getting better and better in every way. Production quality, sound, skill and everything. It's crazy! Stan Rogers would be fuckin proud.

One of my favorite musical discoveries of 2021 singing one of my personal favorite Appalachian songs. That’s unexpected.

This literally brought tears to my eyes!! And, I'm not the only one.... Wow.

The first time I've heard this song was while playing Civ 6. I'm not from any english speaking country so I didn't know it was a american folk song, but even back then I thought the song sounded incredibly hopeful and uplifting. As soon as I heard the melody on the Banjo I got reminded of that game. You guys just took it to a completly different level! Incredible job! I think I even started crying a bit...

If only singing this made it so. **sighs in lifelong existential crisis**

I listened to this song and it sounded so familiar. Cut to a few weeks later and I’m playing civilization. And it’s one of the civs themes lol. I Jamed to the instrumental for like 2 hours.

For those who want to sing along, here are the lyrics: 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. ‘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. 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. 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. There’s a pale weeping 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. ‘Tis the song, the sigh of the weary; Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more: Many days have lingered around my cabin door; Oh! Hard Times, come again no more. ‘Tis the song, the sigh of the weary; Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more: Many days have lingered around my cabin door; Oh! Hard Times, come again no more. ‘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.

warmed my entire body

This version redeemed this song for me because prior to hearing this whenever I thought of this song I always thought of how its the background music for Civilizations 6 and how annoying it can get after 6 hours of the same song straight. Thank you The Longest Johns for making me enjoy this song again. :D

cant wait to see you guys in Cambridge! first show in a long time and its gonna be amazing

This is music. Real music.

This song has a special meaning for me. It's what got me through depressive episodes, breakups, and loneliness. Your rendition is beautiful.

How did I miss this beauty? My favourite song covered by one of the best bands ever. Thanks mates

You guys knocked it out of the park again. Seeing you all recording separately instantly made me think of quarantine, and the challenges of recording separately . As soon as JD joined Andy I thought back to my post vaccination gatherings and realized I was crying. Quite adequate lads

Both this song and the Minstrel Boy have a timeless quality. They resonate with people; because there isn't much that ties these songs to a specific time or place, nearly everyone can relate to them.

The Longest Johns new single - now with extra onions!

this shit is so powerful this is what keeps me going through hard times every day .this would be my anthem if I ever had one

So perfect for now, even if you made me weep buckets 😭🪣 Beautiful song and video 🥰❤

Listening to this as a sit at home with a broken femur and not at work, it strikes me as both sad and hopeful. Good job y'all. From a broken Midwestern boy

It's currently 3 day before Christmas and I'll probably have to stay alone throughout the holidays, cause I'm sick with Covid. I listen to this song, whenever things are hard for me. It helps me look positively into the future. Thank you, Longest Johns!

How in the world did i miss this? Btw this i great guys now I have more songs to listen to and sing while I sail on the sea of thieves

Listening from Brazil. Please hard times go away and come again no more.

Man, my universities men's choir almost did this song before Covid shut us down for that year. I've always been sad that we never got a chance to finish it. Since then it's been my favorite American folk song. Love you guys, well done as always!

The ambiance of the stage made out of shipping pallets is just incredible. Plus the sound quality is just outstanding. Just fabulous guys.

I love The Longest Johns

Might be in part just how I've been feeling today, but your wonderful rendition really got me teared up. Thank you guys

I've had this song on repeat for a while after its release on Spotify and then stuck in my head for the rest of the day, and this video just completes this day filled with hype for the new album and everything. It fits the feeling of the song so perfectly and gives such wonderful feel-good-vibes, and I genuinely teared up while watching. Thank you for all the music and all that you do! I really needed this, it's wonderful, and I'm excited for what's to come

This song and many other songs you guys have done really help me I've been feeling really depressed but listening to your music has helped me to kind of forget all of that for a bit