Swanee (1919)

Vocal Range

Comments

Made famous by Al Jolson, this song became Gershwin's first and biggest hit, with sheet music sales of more than one million copies within its first year of publication.

Lyrics

I’ve been away from you a long time;
I never thought I’d miss you so.
Somehow I feel Your love was real;
Near you I long to be.
The birds are singing, It is song-time,
The banjos strummin’ soft and low.
I know that you Yearn for me too.

Swanee: You’re calling me.
Swanee: How I love you,
How I love you, My dear old Swanee.
I’d give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I-
Even know my Mam-my’s Waiting for me,
Praying for me Down by the Swanee.
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.

Swanee, Swanee, I am coming back to Swanee.
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home.