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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.


Text 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.
      • Go to the text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-11-02
Line count: 22
Word count: 208

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