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Stephen Foster was an American songwriter born in 1826 in Pennsylvania. He is often called the Father of American Music because he wrote many famous songs in the 1800s.
Some of his best-known songs include Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, and Beautiful Dreamer. His music is simple, catchy, and easy to sing along with, making it popular across the country.
Foster’s songs are still sung today and are an important part of American folk and popular music history. He passed away in 1864, but his melodies continue to be loved by many.
About the Song
My Old Kentucky Home is a sad and gentle song about missing home and the hard life of the past. It talks about memories, love, and the pain of leaving. The tune is soft and emotional, making people feel deeply when they hear it.
Details Information Released 1853 Writer Stephen Foster History of the My Old Kentucky Home
My Old Kentucky Home was composed around 1852 and published in January 1853 by Firth, Pond & Co. of New York. The song became widely popular in the United States, especially in Kentucky, and was adopted as the official state song in 1928.
In the early 1900s, it was featured at major events like the St. Louis World’s Fair and became a symbol of Kentucky, often performed at public gatherings and ceremonies.
The song has been recorded many times since the late 1800s, with early cylinder and disc recordings dating back to the 1890s.
Over the years, its lyrics have been revised, and it remains a long-lasting part of American musical culture and Kentucky tradition.
My Old Kentucky Home Lyrics by Stephen Foster
Verse 1
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home
‘Tis summer, the darkies are gay
The corn top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy, and bright
By ‘n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home, good nightChorus
Weep no more my lady, oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far awayVerse 2
They hunt no more for the ‘possum and the coon
On the meadow, the hill and the shore
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon
On the bench by the old cabin door
The day goes by like a shadow o’er the heart
With sorrow where all was delight
The time has come when the darkies have to part
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!Chorus
Weep no more my lady, oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far awayVerse 3
The head must bow and the back will have to bend
Wherever the darkies may go
A few more days and the trouble all will end
In the field where the sugar-canes grow
A few more days for to tote the weary load
No matter ’twill never be light
A few more days till we totter on the road
Then my old Kentucky home, good-night!Chorus
Weep no more my lady, oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far awaySimilar Songs Like My Old Kentucky Home
Here are a few other well-loved songs known for their soothing melodies and heartfelt stories.
- Beautiful Dreamer: This soft and dreamy song talks about love and waiting. The music feels calm, peaceful, and full of quiet hope.
- Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair: A sweet and gentle song about a lost love, and the words are simple, and the melody brings a sense of deep longing.
- Hard Times Come Again No More: This touching song asks for kindness and better days during hard times. It speaks to people who are struggling or poor.
- Old Folks at Home: A song full of homesickness and memory. It’s about missing the past and the comfort of familiar places.
Similar Artists Like Stephen Foster
Here are similar artists to Stephen Foster, with their genre and top album:
- Henry Clay Work
Genre: American folk, parlor songs
Top album: Songs of Henry Clay Work - Dan Emmett
Genre: Minstrel, American folk
Top album: Old Dan Tucker and Other Minstrel Songs - James A. Bland
Genre: Minstrel, American folk
Top album: Carry Me Back to Old Virginny: The Songs of James A. Bland - Thomas Moore
Genre: Irish folk, ballads
Top album: The Last Rose of Summer: Songs of Thomas Moore - Aaron Copland
Genre: American classical, folk-inspired
Top album: Appalachian Spring
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is My Old Kentucky Home Often Performed?
It is famously sung before the Kentucky Derby each year.
What Inspired My Old Kentucky Home?
The song was inspired by the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Did My Old Kentucky Home have a Different Original Title?
Yes, it was originally titled Poor Uncle Tom, Good Night!.
