O Suzanna

Refrain:

Oh! Susanna,

Oh don't you cry for me,

I've come from Alabama

Wid my banjo on my knee.

 

I came from Alabama,

Wid my banjo on my knee,

I'm gwyne to Louisiana,

My true love for to see;

It rain'd all night the day I left,

The weather it was dry,

The sun so hot, I froze to death,

Susanna don't you cry.

Refrain:

 

I jumped aboard de telegraph,

And trabbled down de riber,

De lectric fluid magnified,

And killed five hundred chigger *.

The bullgine* bust, de horse run off,

I really thought I'd die;

I shut my eyes to hold my breath,

Susanna don't you cry.

Refrain:

 

I had a dream de odder night

When ebery ting was still,

I thought I saw Susanna

A comin down the hill;

The buck-wheat cake was in her mouth,

The tear was in her eye;

Says I, "I'm coming from the South

Susanna don't you cry."

Refrain:

 

I soon will be in New Orleans,

And den I'll look around,

And when I find Susanna,

I will fall upon de ground.

And if I do not find her,

Dis darkie'll surely die,

And when I'm dead and buried,

Susanna, don't you cry.

Refrain:

 

* Original text politically corrected.

* Derisive shipboard slang for an engine

 

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