Post by Ka M

Researching history(as per usual), I was routed to this writer/composer touted as "a great" and "first" back in 1860s. Stephen Foster caused strife and disgrace to slaves and the generations of descendants that followed.... The original lyrics include: "darkies" and "coons" which advocates/protests called for an end to the indecency when it continued to be performed publicly. Decent forced a change in lyrics. Paul Robeson produced this song in its original form "showcasing" the plight of slaves of the Confederacy. Original Lyrics (composed by 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, goodnight. 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 away. Verse 2: They hunt no more for the possum and the coon, On 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, goodnight. Chorus Verse 3: The head must bow and the back will have to bend, Wherever the darky 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, goodnight.