Swanee
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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I never thought I'd miss you so.
Somehow I feel, your love was real,
Near you I long to be.
The birds are singing, it is song time.
The banjo's strummin' soft and low.
I know that you yearn for me too,
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I even know my
Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up North will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
Swanee, Swanee I am coming back to Swanee.
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be among the folks in
D-I-X-I even know my Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
In Michael Feinstein's song "Swanee," the singer laments his long absence from a place called Swanee, and expresses his yearning to return to it. The lyrics suggest that he didn't realize how much he missed the place until he left, and now feels drawn back to it by the memories of its bird-filled landscape and soft banjo music. He loves Swanee deeply and would "give the world" to be amongst its people again, especially since he knows his mother is waiting for him there, hoping and praying for his return.
The song speaks to an enduring theme in American popular music, the notion of the homeland as a place of safety, familiarity, and emotional attachment. The singer longs for Swanee, not just as a geographic location, but as a state of mind, a place where he can reconnect with his roots and feel the security of being among his own people. The idea of a "Swanee shore" is both a physical and spiritual space, a place where he can find belonging and affirmation.
In terms of the music itself, the song is a lovely example of the classic American popular song form, with a catchy melody and a gentle, easy swing. Feinstein's vocals are warm and inviting, and the simple instrumentation of banjo, guitar, and drums adds to the rustic charm of the piece. Overall, "Swanee" is a nostalgic and heartfelt tribute to the enduring power of the homeland in American culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been away from you a long time.
It's been quite a while since I last saw you.
I never thought I'd miss you so.
I didn't expect to yearn for you this much.
Somehow I feel, your love was real,
I sense that your affection for me was genuine.
Near you I long to be.
I desire to be close to you.
The birds are singing, it is song time.
The birds are chirping and it's a lovely time.
The banjo's strummin' soft and low.
The banjo is being played gently and quietly.
I know that you yearn for me too,
I am aware that you also crave my presence.
Swanee you're calling me.
Swanee, you are beckoning me.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
Oh Swanee, how much I adore you,
My dear old Swanee
My beloved and cherished Swanee.
I'd give the world to be
I would do anything to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I even know my
With the people in D-I-X-I, where I even have acquaintances,
Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
My mother is eagerly anticipating my arrival and praying for me.
Down by the Swanee
Near the Swanee River.
The folks up North will see me no more
I won't be seen by the Northern people again.
When I go to the Swanee shore.
Once I reach the shore of Swanee.
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home.
Mother, mother, I have strong affection for those back home.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRVING CAESAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind