Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away.
There's where my heart is turning ever,
There's where the old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam.
Still longing for the old plantation,
And for the old folks at home.
Chorus:
All the world am sad and dreary,
Everywhere I roam.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Far from the old folks at home.
All 'round the little farm I wandered,
When I was young.
Then many happy days I squandered,
Many the songs I sung.
When I was playing with my brother,
Happy was I.
Oh, take me to my kind old mother,
There let me live and die.