This is the best-known of all of Stephen C. Foster's songs. It is sung in almost every language known to man. Part of its appeal is its lovely melody. But probably this song of the prodigal son is most loved for its words. Background music is in the key of C
 Trucker's Hat with harmonica logo |
5 -4 4 5 -4 4 7 -6 7 Way down up-on de swan-ee rib-ber, 6 5 4 -4 Far, far a-way, 5 -4 4 5 -4 4 7 -6 7 Dere's wha my heart is turn-ing eb-ber, 6 5 4 -4 -4 4 Dere's wha de old folks stay. 5 -4 4 5 -4 4 7 -6 7 All up and down de whole cre-a-tion, 6 5 4 -4 Sad-ly I roam, 5 -4 4 5 -4 4 7 -6 7 Still long-ing for de old plan-ta-tion, 6 5 4 -4 -4 -4 4 And for de old folks at home. chorus -7 7 -8 6 6 -6 6 7 All de world am sad and drear-y, 7 -6 -5 -6 6 Eb-ry-where I roam, 5 -4 4 5 -4 4 7 -6 7 Oh! dark-ies how my heart grows wear-y, 6 5 4 -4 -4 -4 4 Far from de old folks at home. verse 2 All round de little farm I wandered When I was young, Den many happy days I squandered, Many de songs I sung. When I was playing wid my brudder Happy was I Oh! take me to my kind old mudder, Dere let me live and die. verse 3 One little hut among de bushes, One day I love, Still sadly to my mem'ry rushes, No matter where I rove. When will I see de bees a humming All round de comb? When will I hear de banjo tumming Down in my good old home?
