Old Folks
Larry Clinton & His Orchestra feat. v/Bea Wain Lyrics
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Far, far away
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Oh, for the old folks at home
Ah-oh-oh!
Oh, my my!
Well, way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
And for the old folks at home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Ev'rywhere I roam
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
The lyrics to Larry Clinton & His Orchestra feat. v/Bea Wain's song "Old Folks" are about longing for one's childhood home and the memories associated with it. The song begins with the mention of the Swanee River, which is a real river located in the southeastern United States, specifically in Georgia and Florida. The river symbolizes the home of the singer and where their heart yearns to be. The phrase "old folks" is used to refer to the singer's parents or grandparents who still reside in the home.
The second verse mentions the singer's current state of being and their longing for their past. The reference to "the old plantation" indicates that the singer is likely African American, as plantations were historically associated with slavery in the United States. The song continues to express the singer's sadness and weariness as they are far away from their childhood home and the memories associated with it.
Overall, the lyrics can be interpreted as a nostalgic longing for one's past and the people and places associated with it. It reflects a common human desire to return home and the feeling of comfort and safety that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down upon the Swanee River,
My heart desires to be where the Swanee River flows.
Far, far away-hey
A distant place from where I currently am.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
My heart yearns to be at the Swanee River, it's a powerful feeling.
Home where the old folks stay.
The place where elderly people live is my true home.
All up and down the whole creation,
I've been wandering around aimlessly everywhere.
Sadly I roam.
I wander sorrowfully, without any real purpose.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
I long to return to my old land or home.
And for the old folks at home.
I miss the elderly people, who are like family to me.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Everywhere I go everything seems gray and miserable.
Ev'rywhere I roam
No matter where I wander.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
I'm exhausted and emotionally drained, my heart aches.
Far from the old folks at home
Being away from the elderly people I care about is painful.
Far from the old folks at home
Being away from the elderly people I care about is painful.
Far from the old folks at home
Being away from the elderly people I care about is painful.
Far from the old folks at home
Being away from the elderly people I care about is painful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANK PLEYER, STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
There have been many excellent versions of this gem, but Clinton's, with its stately arrangement and Bea's characteristically unmannered vocal, is one of the best. Willard Robison, composer here though often a lyricist, is one of my heroes; along with the much better known Carmichael and Mercer, he was truly one of the "Kings of the Bucolic," a master of the rural-themed, reflective, richly detailed slice-of-life song. Mildred Bailey, a frequent interpreter of Robison numbers and among the songwriter's most vociferous and enthusiastic supporters, is said to have proclaimed, "Willard is God!"
Jourwalis
Bea Wain is just fantastic!