Oh! Susanna

Words & Music:

Stephen Foster

 

This 1848 tune was a huge hit for Stephen Foster as was adopted by the California Gold Rush miners as their "unofficial anthem" in 1849.

 

G                          A7          D7

I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee,

G                          Em        D7     G

I'm goin' to Louisiana, my true love for to see,

G                                       A7             D7

It rained all night the day I left; the weather it was dry,

G                                  Em   D7        G

The sun so hot I froze to death Susanna don't you cry.

 

CHORUS:

C                 G         A7      D7

Oh, Susanna!  Oh, don't you cry for me.

     G                         Em    D7    G

I've come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.

 

I had a dream the other night, when every thing was still;

I thought I saw Susanna, a-coming down the hill.

The buckwheat cake was in her mouth, the tear was in her eye,

Says I, "I'm coming from de South, Susanna, don't you cry."

 

CHORUS:

 

I soon will be in New Orleans, and den I'll look all round,

And when I find Susanna, I'll fall upon the ground.

But if I do not find her, this darkie'll surely die,

And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna, don't you cry.

 

CHORUS: