Oh Susanna!
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Historical Era Era 4: Expansion and Reform (1801-1861) |
Tags Gold Rush |
About Oh Susanna!
Stephen Foster was only 21 years old when he composed this song, and he later wrote, “the two fifty-dollar bills I received [for Oh Susanna!] had the effect of starting me on my present vocation as a songwriter.” In his 37 years of life, Foster wrote more than 200 songs. He visited the South only once, yet many of his songs portrayed blacks and slave life and were frequently performed by blackface minstrel singers. Oh Susanna! was beloved by ‘49ers during the California gold rush, helping it to become the most popular song in America.
Lyrics to Oh Susanna!
Oh Susanna!
chorus:
Oh, Susanna!
Oh, don't you cry for me
For I come from Alabama
With a banjo on my knee
verses:
I come from Alabama
With my banjo on my knee
I'm goin' to Louisiana
My true love for to see
It rained all night the day I left
The weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death
Susanna, don't you cry
(chorus)
I had a dream the other night
When everything was still
I thought I saw Susanna
A-coming down the hill
A red, red rose was in her hand
The tear was in her eye
I said, "I come from Dixie land
Susanna, don't you cry"
(chorus)
I soon will be in New Orleans
And then I'll look around
And when I find Susanna
I'll fall upon the ground
But if I do not find her
I will surely die
And when I'm dead and buried
Susanna, don't you cry
(chorus)
Download Oh Susanna!
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Video of Oh Susanna!
Part of this song is featured in the Ballad of America video overview.
Compact Disc with Oh Susanna!
This song is available on the compact disc:
Ballad of America Volume 2: America Singing
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