Old Folks are Gone, Lyric Variant 02

This item is part of the I. G. Greer Folksong Collection which consists of more than 300 individual song titles and their variants as collected by Isaac Garfield Greer (1881-1967) from informants, primarily in Ashe, Wilkes and Watauga counties. The collection includes manuscripts, typescript transcriptions produced by Dr. Greer’s clerical staff, and handwritten musical notations. Songs range from traditional Child Ballads, traditional English and Scottish ballads as well as their American variants, to 19th century popular music to musical compositions of local origin.

Popular music--United States

Homecoming--Songs and music

Family--Songs and music

Childhood--Songs and music

Root, George F. (George Frederick), 1820-1895

AC.113 Isaac Garfield (I.G.) Greer Papers and Recordings

W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University

Greer, I. G. (Isaac Garfield), 1881-1967

PDF

English

Text

Old Folks Are Gone

Far, far in many lands I’ve wandered sadly and lone
My heart was ever turning southward
To all the dear ones at home
Where after all my weary roaming at early dawn,
I’ve come and find the cot still standing
But Oh, the old folks are gone.

Chorus
Here I wander sad and lonely
In the dear old home,
Those that I loved so well and fondly
All, all the old folks are gone.

Here’s where I frolicked with my brother, under the tree,
Here’s where I knelt besode my mother
From care and sorrow free,
Still sing the little birds sweetly at night and morn,
Still runs the little brook fleetly
But oh, the old folks are gone.

Chorus

Down where the wild Cavara’s waving they’re laid to rest,
Where Swanee’s peaceful waters loving
The green turf o’er their breast,
But there’s a home I know where parting never can come
Oh for that home I must be starting,
There’s where the old folks are gone.

Chorus

1852

113_OldFolksAreGone_Lyric_02