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MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME

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Here is what Theodore Raph wrote about this song in « The American Song Treasury 100 Favorites » , Dover Publications, Inc. New York, 1964:

"This is the official song of the state of Kentucky. My Old Kentucky Home was composed by Stephen Foster. He wrote it during the time our country was experiencing an ever-growing anti-slavery movement. Uncle Tom's Cabin  (published in 1852) had sold  over 300,000 copies and its sentiment waa already widely felt. Not long after its publication in 1853 the song became a popular success."

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home

'Tis summer, the darkies are gay

The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom

While the birds make music all the day

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor

All merry, all happy and bright

By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door

Then my old Kentucky home, good night. 

Chorus 

Weep no more my lady, oh weep no more today

We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home

For my old Kentucky home far away. 

They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon

On meadow, the hill and the shore

They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon

On the bench by that old cabin door

The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart

With sorrow where all was delight

The time has come when the darkies have to part

Then my old Kentucky home, good night. 

Chorus 

The head must bow and the back will have to bend

Wherever the darkies may go

A few more days and the troubles all will end                                    

In the field where sugar-canes may grow

A few more days for to tote the weary load

No matter, 'twill never be light

A few more days till we totter on the road

Then my old Kentucky home, good night.

Chorus