“Old Folks at Home” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Old Folks at Home” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Performer: Paul Robeson.
Lyrics: Stephen Foster.
Tune: Stephen Foster.
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away,
That’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.
All the world is sad and dreary
Everywhere I roam.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary
Far from the old folks at home.
All ’round the little farm I wandered
When I was young;
Then, many happy days I squandered;
Many the song, 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.
All the world is sad and dreary
Everywhere I roam.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary
Far from the old folks at home.
One little hut among the bushes—
One day I love—
Still sadly to my mem’ry rushes
No matter where I rove.
When will I see the bees a-humming
All ’round the comb?
When will I hear the banjo strumming
Down in my good, old home?
All the world is sad and dreary
Everywhere I roam.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary
Far from the old folks at home.