A popular song from 1917.
Words by Nat Vincent.
Music by Herman Paley.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
There’s a steamer leaving for my old home tonight
Where hearts are light and it’s sunny and bright
Though they’re busy fighting in the lands ‘cross the foam
Everything’s quiet down home
On the levee when their work is through
Hot times they’ll show you
CHORUS
Down South everybody’s happy
Down Sough everybody’s gay
Shuffling’ along, hummin’ a song
Dancing and singing when the banjos are ringing
All their troubles are forgotten
At the close of the day
Old Aunt Hannah wearing a red bandana
Does a cakewalk in such a stately manner
Down South everybody’s happy
Turning the night into day
VERSE 2
When it comes to dances why there’s none will compare
‘Long with the “bear” that the folks do down there
And the famous dinners that they serve are a treat
Old southern style, hard to beat
When a Southerner says he’s your friend
He’s yours ’till the end