[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1899.
Words and Music by Hattie Nevada
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. O I’se wandered far away from home,
An’ de ole folks loved so true,
Lef’ my dear ole Mammy weepin’
Lef’ my dear ole Daddy too
But I’se nebber seed a spot on earth
Whar I would rather stay,
Than my happy home in Dixie
Whar de birds sing all de day.
Chorus
When de Blue birds swing high up in de willers
An’ de roses bloom again around de door,
Den I know dat it’s summer time in Dixie,
Yes it’s summer ‘long de Lou-siana shore.
2. At de Quarters many a night we’d dance
Till de chickens crow’d fer day;
Dar was good ole uncle Sambo
An’ he made us mighty gay,
When he’d fiddle up an ole time tune
An’ den we’d hear him sing,
O it’s summer time in Dixie
An’ de Blue birds on de wing.
3. O I’se dreaming ob de cabin old
An’ dem happy days ob yore,
Ob de scrapin’ ob de fiddles
An’ de dancin’ on de shore,
Tho’ I’se feeble now, I longs to go
An’ hear dem darkies sing,
O it’s summer time in Dixie
An’ de Blue birds on de wing