Oh Susanna - Chords, Lyrics and Origins

Origins

Recorded in the fairly recent past by luminaries such as James Taylor, The Byrds, Neil Young, and The Be Good Tanyas, 'Oh Susanna' dates back at least as far as the middle of the nineteenth century, when it was first copyrighted by Stephen Foster of Cincinnati.  Foster, however, apparently 'collected' many of the songs that he later copyrighted, so there must be some doubt over his authorship.  The nonsense lyrics didn't stop it becoming one of the most popular American songs of its time - and of any time come to that.  See this Wikipedia article for more information.

Chords

C
I come from Alabama

C                            G7
With a banjo on my knee

      C
I'm going to Louisiana,

C                  G7     C
My true love for to see.



C
It rained all night the day I left

C                            G7
The weather it was dry

       C
The sun so hot, I froze to death -

C              G7          C
Susannah, don't you cry.




F
Oh, Susannah,

C                        G7
Don't you cry for me

C
I come from Alabama

C                  G7      C
With a banjo on my knee.

Lyrics

I come from Alabama
With a banjo on my knee
I'm going to Louisiana,
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
Susannah, don't you cry.

Oh, Susannah,
Don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama
With a banjo on my knee.

I had a dream the other night
When everything was still
I dreamed I saw Susannah
A-coming down the hill.

A buckwheat cake was in her mouth
A tear was in her eye
Says I, "I'm coming from the south,
Susannah, don't you cry."

Oh, Susannah,
Don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama
With a banjo on my knee.