Old Black Joe (with Lyrics) By Stephen Foster

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Published Mar 28, 2016

Foster first published this song in 1853. It is said to be inspired by his father-in-law's servant, Joe. It has been said that this song epitomizes Foster's racial condescension. Others say that the mood of the song is of gentle melancholy and sorrow without bitterness. Strangely, I hadn't heard this song before this week, but my Japanese wife says that they sang this song (in English) in junior high school in the 1960's.
Lyrics:
1.
Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay,
Gone are my friends from the cotton fields away,
Gone from the earth to a better land I know,
I hear their gentle voices calling "Old Black Joe"
.
Chorus
I'm coming, I'm coming, for my head is bending low:
I hear their gentle voices calling, "Old Black Joe".

2.
Why do I weep when my heart should feel no pain
Why do I sigh that my friends come not again,
Grieving for forms now departed long ago.
I hear their gentle voices calling "Old Black Joe".
Chorus

3.
Where are the hearts once so happy and so free?
The children so dear that I held upon my knee,
Gone to the shore where my soul has longed to go.
I hear their gentle voices calling "Old Black Joe"
.
Chorus