The Swanee River - Florida State Song

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Florida State Song

1904 "Suwanne River" Postcard (public domain image on Wikipedia).

Official State Song of Florida

Florida designated "The Swanee River" (Old Folks at Home) by Stephen C. Foster as the official state song in 1935, replacing "Florida, My Florida" (which was adopted as the state song in 1913). Florida designated another official state song (I am Florida) in 2013 . All State Songs

Modern Lyrics

Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away, There's where my heart is turning ever, There's where the old folks stay. All up and down the whole creation, Sadly I roam, Still longing for the old plantation, And for the old folks at home.   CHORUS   All the world is sad and dreary Everywhere I roam. O brothers, how my heart grows weary, Far from the old folks at home.   VERSE 2   All 'round the little farm I wander'd, When I was young; Then many happy days I squander'd, Many the songs I sung. When I was playing with my brother, Happy was I. Oh, take me to my kind old mother, There let me live and die.   VERSE 3   One little hut among the bushes, One that I love. Still sadly to my memory rushes, No matter where I rove. When will I see the bees a humming, All 'round the comb? When shall I hear the banjo strumming, Down in my good old home.  

Original Lyrics

Way down upon de Swanee ribber, Far, far away, Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber, Dere's wha de old folks stay. All up and down de whole creation Sadly I roam, Still longing for de old plantation And for de old folks at home.   CHORUS   All de world am sad and dreary, Ebry where I roam, Oh! darkies how my heart grows weary, Far from de old folks at home.   VERSE 2   All round de little farm I wandered When I was young, Den many happy days I squandered, Many de songs I sung. When I was playing wid my brudder Happy was I Oh! take me to my kind old mudder, Dere let me live and die.   VERSE 3   One little hut amond de bushes, One dat I love, Still sadly to my mem'ry rushes, No matter where I rove When will I see de bees a humming All round de comb? When will I hear de banjo tumming Down in my good old home. Source Old Folks at Home: State Archives of Florida Florida State Song: Florida Division of Historical Resources Reference All State Songs All Florida Symbols & Icons All Categories of State Symbols   Back to Top