[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
An Ethiopian love song, 1899.
Words by Tom McGuire.
Music by Sid. L. Perrin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. ‘Way down in Louisiana lives my dusky little belle
And she’s the sweetest creature in the land
With her winsome, winning way
Around me she has cast a spell
My heart and soul are both at her command
When the dew is on the rice-fields
When the sun is sinking low
Then I go to meet my charming little fay
And I tell the old, old story
Not in high toned words you know
But I whisper to her softly in this way
Chorus
My Susie-anna, from Louisiana, I love you honey
You’ve promised to be true, my heart, my own
I loves you dearly, and most sincerely
I know some day you’ll be my own, my Susie-anna
2. ‘Way down in Louisiana where the butterflies and bees
Sip honey from the flowers all day long
It is there my dusky charmer
In the soft, warm southern breeze
Sits list’ning to the lovebirds’ happy song
And at night when toil is over
Then to her sweet side I go,
With a bunch of flowers plucked upon the way
And I hand them to my sweetheart
As a proof I love her so
Then she smiles and once again I softly say