Oh! Susanna - Popularity and Adaptations

Popularity and Adaptations

The song is not only one of Stephen Foster's best-known songs, but also one of the best-known American songs. No American song had sold more than 5,000 copies before; "Oh! Susanna" sold over 100,000. After its publication, it quickly became known as an "unofficial theme of the Forty-Niners", with new lyrics about traveling to California with a "washpan on my knee". A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch version uses Foster's melody but replaces the lyrics entirely.

Lyrics themselves: 1. I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee-- I’se gwine to Lou’siana my true lub for to see. It rain’d all night de day I left, de wedder it was dry; The sun so hot I froze to def -- Susanna, dont you cry. Chorus: Oh! Susanna, do not cry for me; I come from Alabama, wid my Banjo on my knee.

2. I jump’d aboard the telegraph and trabbeled down de ribber, De lectrie fluid magnified, and kill’d five hundred Nigger. De bullgine bust, de hoss ran off, I really thought I’d die; I shut my eyes to hold my bref -- Susanna, dont you cry. Chorus:

3. I had a dream de udder night, when ebry ting was still; I thought I saw Susanna dear, a coming down de hill. De buckweat cake was in her mouf, de tear was in her eye, I says, I’se coming from de souf, -- Susanna, dont you cry. Chorus:

An unauthorized fourth verse was added:

4. I soon will be in New Orleans, and den I’ll look all round, And when I find Susanna, I' fall upon the ground. But if I do not find her, dis darkie 'I surely die, And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna, dont you cry.