[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(And the Moon Begins To Rise)
A popular song from 1917.
Words by Chas. McCarron.
Music by Albert Von Tilzer.
Sheet music provided by Nicholas Leunissen:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I just received a note today
It had to come a long, long way
And inside there is a view
Of a cottage where the grass is blue
I left the old home long ago
Where the cotton blossoms grow as white as snow
Oh Gee! I want to be
With my friends and family
Chorus
When the sun goes down in Dixie
And the moon begins to rise
That’s the hour down in Dixie
When the darkies harmonize
Old Uncle Joe you’ll surely see
With his banjo on his knee
And my little sister Hannah
At the old piana, pickin’ out a melody
Come to think about it
I’m going back to the scenes of my childhood
Some day I’ll fill the old folks with surprise
When the sun does down in Dixie
And the moon begins to rise
Back in my mother’s arms
I’ll be in paradise
- I’m goin’ to send a card some day
And just a few words I will say
They will mean the world you see
To the Mother waiting there for me
Because the words I’m goin’ to write
They will state, “I leave for home tomorrow night”
She’ll wait down by the gate
What a picture that will make
Sung here by Fred Feild: