A popular song from 1918.
Words and music by George Fairman.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. I was born in Dixieland
Not so very long ago
And when my Pa and Ma moved away up North
I certainly hated to go
It seems I’ve been away for a long, long time
From the Mason Dixon line
Those northern folks are mighty good to me
But I’ll take Dixie for mine
Chorus:
I live up North but I’ve still got the South in me
As you can see
And all around my heart there’s a sneaky feelin’
For my home in Tennessee
And every time I hear a Banty rooster crowin’
I feel like goin’ where the cottons growin’
Down there where the birds are singing
And the wedding bells are always ringing
I’m mighty lonesome for that Swanee River
And I feel like pickin’ on a nice spring chicken
Cooked in Southern style
I’m just as lonesome as can be
And full of hospatality
I live up North but I’ve still got the South in me
2. Many lonesome days I’ve spent
Since I left my Dixie home
I’m never satisfied where I chance to be
It seems I do nothing but roam
Some day I’m going back to that little shack
Where the red, red Roses grow
It isn’t much but still it’s dear to me
And I’ll be welcome I know