Swanee River
Swanee River Melancholy: Yearning for Home and Tradition
Lyrics
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Expressing a location, "Swanee River," setting the scene for the emotions to follow.
Far, far away
Emphasizing the distance, indicating a faraway place with a sense of remoteness.
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
Describing a deep yearning for that distant place, suggesting strong emotional attachment.
Home where the old folks stay
Referring to the home where elderly relatives reside, portraying a sense of nostalgia.
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Reiteration of the location and the distance, reinforcing the theme of remoteness.
Far, far away-hey
Continuation of emphasizing the distance, perhaps amplifying the feeling of longing.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Repeating the deep yearning for the distant place, underlining the emotional connection.
Home where the old folks stay
Reiterating the reference to the home of elderly relatives, reinforcing the sense of nostalgia.
All up and down the whole creation,
Expressing a sense of aimless wandering across the entire world.
Sadly I roam
Indicating sadness during the aimless journey, possibly due to being far from a familiar place.
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Expressing a longing specifically for an old plantation, connecting to the past and history.
Oh, for the old folks at home
Expressing a yearning for the company of elderly relatives at the old plantation home.
Ah-oh-oh!
An exclamation, possibly expressing strong emotion or emphasizing a point.
Oh, my my!
An expression of surprise or realization, adding emotional nuance to the narrative.
Well, way down upon the Swanee River,
Reiteration of the location, "Swanee River," and the distance, reinforcing the emotional context.
Far, far away-hey.
Continuation of emphasizing the distance, maintaining the theme of remoteness.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Repeating the deep yearning for the distant place, continuing to emphasize emotional connection.
Home where the old folks stay.
Reiterating the reference to the home of elderly relatives, sustaining the sense of nostalgia.
All up and down the whole creation,
Restating the theme of aimless wandering across the entire world.
Sadly I roam.
Reiteration of sadness during the aimless journey, emphasizing the emotional impact.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Expressing a continued longing for the old plantation, indicating a persistent desire for the past.
And for the old folks at home.
Reiterating the yearning for the company of elderly relatives at the old plantation home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Broad statement about the world being sad and dreary, reflecting a negative outlook on life.
Ev'rywhere I roam
Expressing a pervasive sense of sadness and weariness during the protagonist's travels.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Addressing a group ("darkies") and highlighting the growing weariness being far from home.
Far from the old folks at home
Repeating the sentiment of longing, emphasizing the emotional toll of being distant.
Far from the old folks at home
Reiteration of the longing for the old folks at home, emphasizing the central theme.
Far from the old folks at home
Further emphasis on the distance and the emotional separation from the elderly relatives.
Far from the old folks at home
Reiteration of the profound sense of being far from the comforting presence of old folks at home.
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