by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864)
I came from Alabama, Wid a banjo on my...
Language: English
I came from Alabama, Wid a banjo on my knee, I'm gwyne 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 froze to death; Susanna, don't you cry. Chorus: Oh! Susanna, Oh don't you cry for me, cos' I've come from Alabama, Wid my banjo on my knee I jumped aboard the telegraph, And trabbled down the riber, De lectric fluid magnified, And killed five hundred nigger. 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 had a dream the odder night, When ebery thing was still I thought I saw Susanna A Coming down de hill; The buck-wheat cake was in her mouth, The tear was in her eye; Says I, "I'm coing 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 will fall upon de ground. And If I do not find her, Dis Darkie'l surely die, And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna, don't you cry. (Chorus)
About the headline (FAQ)
Note: this text is included mainly for historical and research purposes. The song was recorded with this text as late as the early 1900s; however, Foster made many attempts through revisions to erase the song's racist past.
Authorship:
- by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), written c1847, first published 1848 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, adapted by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864) [an adaptation] ; composed by Stephen Collins Foster.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-11-02
Line count: 22
Word count: 202