[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From the Passing Show of 1922.
Words by Eddie Cantor.
Music by Jean Schwartz.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I see a shadow standing by
The Swanee Shore once more
I see the lights a-gleaming
As in days of yore once more
I see the cotton blossoms shining bright
Or is it Mammy’s hair so snowy white
Swanee breeze I hear you sighing
I feel blue just for you
Chorus
Way down upon the Silver Swanee
Someone’s calling
Way down upon the Silver Swanee
Tears are falling
Swanee don’t you cry
Swanee dry your eye
I’m coming home
Soon I’ll rock-a-bye
To your lullabye
In my Dixie cradle
Way down upon my knee
Each night alone I’m praying
And in my dreams I see a cabin door
I hear your gentle voice a-calling
Come home come home to your Silvery Swanee once more
Patter
Swanee shore Sycamore
Dog and cat, welcome mat
Daffy-dill, whippoorwill
Mammy bake buckwheat cake
Serve them hot, reach the spot
Blossoms fall, crickets call
Those were the days that I loved best of all
Give me my grip, here is your tip
Don’t wake me up, I am only dreaming
- I hear a banjo strumming
Old familiar tunes, sweet tunes
The honeybees are humming
‘Neath the honeymoon, those tunes
I see a pickaninny roll his eyes
While Mammy Ginnie’s baking pumpkin pies
Swanee babe, say you are lonely
Do you miss Mammy’s kiss
Sung here by Fred Feild: