Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Journey to Old Virginny: A Melodic Tale of Longing and Legacy
Lyrics
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Expressing a desire to return to Virginia, invoking nostalgia.
There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow,
Describing the agricultural richness of Virginia with cotton, corn, and potatoes.
There's where the birds warble sweet in the springtime,
Highlighting the beauty of Virginia with birds singing in spring.
There's where the old darke'ys heart am long'd to go,
Referencing the yearning of African Americans to return to Virginia.
There's where I labored so hard for old massa,
Recalling hard labor for the plantation owner (massa).
Day after day in the field of yellow corn,
Describing the toil in the cornfields day after day.
No place on earth do I love more sincerely
Expressing deep love for Virginia, the speaker's place of birth.
Than old Virginny, the state where I was born.
Reiterating affection for Virginia, emphasizing its significance.
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Repeating the desire to return to Virginia for emphasis.
There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow,
Reaffirming the agricultural abundance of Virginia.
There's where the birds warble sweet in the springtime,
Repeating the beauty of Virginia with singing birds in spring.
There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go.
Reiterating the emotional longing of the speaker to return to Virginia.
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Repeating the plea to be taken back to Virginia.
There let me live 'till I wither and decay,
Expressing a desire to live in Virginia until old age and decay.
Long by the old Dismal Swamp have I wandered,
Reflecting on wandering near the Dismal Swamp for a long time.
There's where this old darke'ys life will pass away.
Stating that the speaker's life will end in Virginia.
Massa and missis have long gone before me,
Mentioning that the master (massa) and mistress (missis) have passed away.
Soon we will meet on that bright and golden shore,
Anticipating a reunion with the master and mistress in the afterlife.
There we'll be happy and free from all sorrow,
Envisioning a happy and sorrow-free existence in the afterlife in Virginia.
There's where we'll meet and we'll never part no more.
Emphasizing the enduring nature of the reunion, suggesting eternal togetherness.
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