Oh Susanna Lyrics - by Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster wrote the Oh Susanna lyrics for his song in the "minstrel" or "blackface" tradition that was popular at the time the song was composed (1847). The "Oh! Susanna" lyrics have since been changed, due to the racist and violent nature of the original lyrics. The song tells the story of a man who is going to Louisiana to see his true love, Susanna. You'll find both versions below.

"Oh! Susanna" - Original Lyrics

I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee
I'se gwine to Lou'siana my true lub for to see.
It rain'd all night de day I left, de wedder it was dry;
The sun so hot I froze to def -- Susanna, don't you cry.

chorus:
Oh! Susanna, do not cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
Wid my Banjo on my knee.

I jump'd aboard the telegraph and trabbled down de ribber,
De lectrick fluid magnified, and kill'd five hundred Nigga.
De bulgine bust and de hoss ran off, I really thought I'd die;
I shut my eyes to hold my bref--Susanna don't you cry.

I had a dream de udder night, when ebry ting was still;
I thought I saw Susanna dear, coming down de hill,
De buckwheat cake was in her mouf, de tear was in her eye,
I says, I'se coming from de souf, --Susanna don't you cry.

Susanna

Because of the offensive language used in the original version, the popular folk song has become "modernized". Here are Oh Susanna lyrics for the one of the modern versions...

I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee;
I'm goin' to Lou'siana 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.

Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
with my banjo on my knee.

I had a dream the other night,
When everything was still;
I thought I saw Susanna dear,
A-coming down the hill.
The buckwheat cake was in her mouth,
The tear was in her eye,
Said I, I'm coming from the south,
Susanna don't you cry.

Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
with my banjo on my knee.

I soon will be in New Orleans,
And then I'll look all 'round,
And when I find Susanna,
I'll fall upon the ground.
But if I do not find her,
This darkey'll surely die,
And when I'm dead and buried,
Susanna don't you cry.

Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
with my banjo on my knee.

There are yet more versions of this folk song. Here are a couple of videos of the song, with different Oh Susanna lyrics.