Hear That Steamboat Whistle Blowing

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A popular song from 1913.
Words by Leo Olevson.
Music by Wm. Rietzel.
Arranged by Harry H. Williams.

The sheet music:

Hear-That-Steamboat-Whistle-Blowing – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Hear_That_Steamboat_Whistle_Blowing – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Hear that steamboat whistle blowing, blowing
    Taking me to Tennessee
    Where the darkies are a hoeing, hoeing
    There for years I’ve longed to be
    Banjos and the old plantation, tation
    With the ones so dear to me
    Gee, it’s good to be a going, going
    Back to dear old Tennessee

Chorus
Tennessee, Tennessee, my own Tennessee
Little pickaninnys rolling on the floor
Honeysuckles climbing all around the door
Balmy night, moonlight bright
In that land so free
Hear that whistle blowing
You see this child’s a-going
Going back to Tennessee

  1. Mammy with her love is waiting, waiting
    Near the old log cabin door
    No more I’ll be hesitating, tating
    Going back to days of yore
    Mockingbirds to me are calling, calling
    From the big Magnolia tree
    And my heart with joy is singing, singing
    Cause I’m off for Tennessee