My Old Kentucky Home

(a.k.a. "Poor Uncle Tom, Goodnight")

Words & Music:

Stephen Foster

 

This is Kentucky's state song.  "Poor Uncle Tom, Goodnight" was the original 1850 title.  The publisher renamed it "My Old Kentucky Home" in 1853.  I've given both the original words (in all their antebellum "glory") and the modern lyrics, which were revised by House Resolution 159 in 1986.  Jay Buckey has arrangements of this on his site.

 

Original Lyrics (1853)

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, goodnight.

 

CHORUS:

Weep no more, my lady.  Oh! weep no more today!

We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,

For the 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 the 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, goodnight.

 

CHORUS:

 

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,

Wherever the darky may go;

A few more days, and the trouble all will end,

In the field where the sugar-canes 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, goodnight.

 

CHORUS:

 

Revised Lyrics (1986)

 

    G                       C            G

The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky Home,

G                A7         D

'Tis summer, the people are gay;

    G                       C               G

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

G                    D             G

While the birds make music all the day.

 

    G                       C            G

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,

G              A7        D

All merry, all happy and bright;

G                            C               G

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

G                    D          G

Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night!

 

CHORUS:

G       C        G          C               G

Weep no more, my lady!  Oh, weep no more today!

G                            C            G

We will sing one song for My Old Kentucky Home.

G                   D         G

For My Old Kentucky Home, far away.