[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1922.
Words and music by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- One day I watched a flock of whippoorwills
As they flew to their homes across the hills
They were merrily flying
To the south I knew
And I couldn’t help crying
“Take me there with you”
Chorus
“Pick me up, and lay me down
In dear old Dixieland
The sun shines there each morn
That’s where the sun was born
My heart’s been all wrapped up in
That land of magic charms
Carry me back to someone’s empty arms
Keep those darkies singing, till I get back
To that ivy clinging ramshackle shack
Pick me up just like my mammy
Lead me by the hand
And lay me down in dear old Dixieland”
- Bring me down there beneath the southern sky
Sing me one little Dixie lullabye
There’s a candle light burning
Down old Dixie way
Tell the folks that I’m yearning
For them night and day
Sung here by Fred Feild: