Movie Magic: Watch Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur Play “Swanee River” (“Old Folks at Home”) in Frank Capra’s 1936 Masterpiece, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town; Bonus: Listen to Paul Robeson Sing “Swanee,” Circa 1930, Plus the Lyrics

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix





“Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)”
Words and Music by Stephen Foster

Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away,
That's where my heart is turning ever,
That's where the old folks stay.

All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam,
Still longing for that 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 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.

All the world am 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 that I love,
Still sadly to my mem’ry rushes,
No matter where I rove.

When shall I see the bees a humming,
All ‘round the comb,
When shall I hear the banjo strumming,
Down by 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.

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.



Paul Robeson’s Version