A clever song about the southern United States, 1919.
words by Irving Caesar
music by George Gershwin
This was George Gershwin’s first and biggest hit. Based on Stephen Foster’s 1851 song “Old Folks At Home” this is a nostalgic look at the old south. It is an American one-step. Ragtime influenced it is march-like with fast patter and staccato repetitions that drive it on.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
I’ve been away from you a long time
I never thought I’d miss you so
Somehow I feel, your love was real
Near you I long to be
The birds are singing, it is song-time
The banjos strummin’ soft and low
I know that you, yearn for me, too
Swanee, you’re calling me
Refrain
Swanee, how I love you, how I love you
My dear old Swanee
I’d give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I-Even know my
Mammy’s waiting for me, praying for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore
(I’ll be happy, I’ll be happy)
Trio:
Swanee, Swanee, I am coming back to Swanee
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home
Swanee, Swanee, I am coming back to Swanee
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home
Sung here by Fred Feild: