Lyrics
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Expresses a desire to return to Virginia, suggesting a strong emotional connection or nostalgia.
There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow,
Highlights the agricultural richness of Virginia, emphasizing crops like cotton, corn, and potatoes.
There's where the birds warble sweet in the springtime,
Portrays the beauty of Virginia in spring with birds singing sweetly, enhancing the imagery.
There's where the old darke'ys heart am long'd to go,
Refers to the heartfelt longing of African Americans ("darke'ys") to return to Virginia.
There's where I labored so hard for old massa,
Reflects on hard labor for the plantation owner ("massa") in the fields of yellow corn.
Day after day in the field of yellow corn,
Continues the theme of daily toil on the plantation, emphasizing the physical effort.
No place on earth do I love more sincerely
Expresses deep love for Virginia, implying it is the most cherished place on Earth.
Than old Virginny, the state where I was born.
Affirms Virginia as the birthplace, contributing to the sentiment of attachment and belonging.
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Repeats the desire to be carried back to Virginia, emphasizing the emotional significance.
There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow,
Reiterates the abundance of crops in Virginia, reinforcing its prosperity.
There's where the birds warble sweet in the springtime,
Recalls the sweet sounds of birds in spring, highlighting the sensory appeal of Virginia.
There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go.
Restates the deep emotional longing of an individual of African descent to return to Virginia.
Carry me back to old Virginny,
Repeats the plea to be taken back to Virginia, expressing a consistent and fervent desire.
There let me live 'till I wither and decay,
Desires to live in Virginia until old age, using vivid imagery of withering and decay.
Long by the old Dismal Swamp have I wandered,
Mentions wandering near the Dismal Swamp, possibly signifying a challenging or difficult life.
There's where this old darke'ys life will pass away.
Conveys that the life of an individual of African descent will come to an end in Virginia.
Massa and missis have long gone before me,
Acknowledges the passing of the plantation owner ("massa") and his wife ("missis") before the narrator.
Soon we will meet on that bright and golden shore,
Anticipates a reunion in the afterlife, portraying a hopeful and comforting outlook.
There we'll be happy and free from all sorrow,
Envisions a joyful and sorrow-free existence in the afterlife with the plantation owner and his wife.
There's where we'll meet and we'll never part no more.
Emphasizes the eternal nature of the reunion, expressing a desire for an unending connection.
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