oh susanna
[unknown] Lyrics

"Oh, Susanna" is a classic American folk song written by Stephen Foster in 1847. The song follows the playful and hopeful narrative of a man from Alabama who travels to Louisiana to see his true love, Susanna. The song's opening line "I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee" immediately sets the scene of a Southern traveler on a journey through America. Despite the weather causing trouble along the way, the singer keeps his spirits up by calling out to Susanna not to cry for him. He then has a dream where he sees Susanna approaching, eating a buckwheat cake and shedding tears. The man then assures her that he is coming from the south, so she should not cry.

The song can be interpreted as a depiction of Southern life in America in the mid-19th century. It features the use of a banjo, which was a popular instrument among African American slaves and later became a symbol of Southern culture. The song's lyrics also mention buckwheat cakes, which were a staple food in Southern households. The lines "The sun so hot, I froze to death" create a humorous paradox that is characteristic of Foster's style, as he often used playful wordplay and irony in his lyrics. "Oh, Susanna" became a popular tune among minstrel shows, and its catchy melody and upbeat lyrics have since made it a classic American folk song.