Swanee River
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Lyrics

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra's song Swanee River is a nostalgic and emotive tune that reflects on a yearning for home and the familiar landmarks of youth. The song speaks of the Swanee River, a river that runs through the southern United States and into the Gulf of Mexico. The river is used symbolically to represent home, where the "old folks" stay, and a place that the singer longs to return to.

The lyrics describe the singer's sense of displacement and disorientation as they journey across the country (or perhaps even the world) searching for something that seems just out of reach. The refrain ("Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away/That's where my heart is yearning ever, Home where the old folks stay") is repeated throughout the song, creating a sense of longing and homesickness that is palpable. The lyrics also reference the "old plantation," which can be read both as a literal place and a symbolic reference to the singer's roots and heritage.

The use of the celebratory term "darkies" in the final verse, which is a reference to African-American plantation workers who were often forced to work the land under brutal conditions, is a reminder of the time period in which the song was written. This term has fallen out of use due to its association with slavery and segregation, and may be considered offensive by some listeners.

Overall, Swanee River is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for home and the past.