Swanee River
Swanee River Melody: Nostalgia for Home and Heartfelt Longing
Lyrics
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Expresses being geographically distant from the Swanee River.
Far, far away
Emphasizes the significant distance of the Swanee River.
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
Conveys a deep emotional longing for the Swanee River.
Home where the old folks stay
Refers to the desire for the comforting familiarity of home.
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Reiterates the distant location of the Swanee River.
Far, far away-hey
Continues to emphasize the significant distance.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Reiterates the deep emotional yearning for the Swanee River.
Home where the old folks stay
Expresses the longing for the familiar surroundings of home.
All up and down the whole creation,
Indicates a sense of aimless wandering throughout creation.
Sadly I roam
Describes a journey marked by sadness and lack of direction.
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Expresses a continuous desire for the old plantation.
Oh, for the old folks at home
Longing for the company of the elderly at home.
Ah-oh-oh!
Emotional exclamation, perhaps representing inner turmoil.
Oh, my my!
An additional expression of strong emotion.
Well, way down upon the Swanee River,
Reiteration of the distant location of the Swanee River.
Far, far away-hey.
Continues to emphasize the considerable distance.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Reiterates the intense emotional yearning for the Swanee River.
Home where the old folks stay.
Expresses the desire for the comforting familiarity of home.
All up and down the whole creation,
Repeats the theme of aimless wandering and sadness.
Sadly I roam.
Continuation of the journey marked by longing.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Expresses a persistent yearning for the old plantation.
And for the old folks at home.
Reiterates the longing for the companionship of the elderly at home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Describes a world characterized by sadness and dreariness.
Ev'rywhere I roam
Indicates a pervasive sense of melancholy in every place visited.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Expresses weariness and a heavy heart when thinking of the past.
Far from the old folks at home
Specifically mentions feeling far from the elderly at home.
Far from the old folks at home
Repeats the sentiment of being distant from the elderly.
Far from the old folks at home
Reiterates the feeling of being far from the elderly at home.
Far from the old folks at home
Concludes the song with a final expression of distance from home.
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