Once I could laugh and play,
When in life's early day,
Then I was far away --
Down among the cane-brakes.
CHORUS:
 Down among the cane-brakes on the Mississippi shore
 Oh! those happy days, those happy days are o'er!
 Oh! those happy days will come back no more!

Yes I was free from care;
All was bright summer there;
Dark days to me were fair --
Down among the cane-brakes.
(CHORUS)

There lived my mother dear
(Gone from this world I fear)
There rang our voices clear
Down among the cane-brakes.
(CHORUS)

There lived a lovely one,
Who like the rest has gone, --
She might have been my own
Down among the cane-brakes.
(CHORUS)

Long years have glided by
Since then I breathed each sigh, --
May I return to die
Down among the cane-brakes.
(CHORUS)