Text by Stephen Foster
I came from Alabama, Wid a banjo on my knee,
I’m gwyne to Louisiana, My true love for to see.
It rain’d all night the day I left, The weather it was dry,
The sun so hot I froze to death; Susanna, don’t you cry.
Chorus:
Oh! Susanna, Oh don’t you cry for me,
cos’ I’ve come from Alabama, Wid my banjo on my knee
I jumped aboard the telegraph, And trabbled down the riber,
De lectric fluid magnified, And killed five hundred nigger.
De bullgine bust, de horse run off, I really thought I’d die;
I shut my eyes to hold my breath, Susanna don’t you cry.
CHO: Oh Susanna &c.
I had a dream the odder night, When ebery thing was still
I thought I saw Susanna A Coming down de hill;
The buck-wheat cake was in her mouth, The tear was in her eye;
Says I, “I’m coing from de south, Susanna, don’t you cry.”
CHO: Oh Susanna &c.
I soon will be in New Orleans, And den I’ll look all round,
And When I find Susanna, I will fall upon de ground.
And If I do not find her, Dis Darkie’l surely die,
And when I’m dead and buried, Susanna, don’t you cry.
CHO: Oh Susanna &c.
" Oh! Susanna " è una minstrel song di Stephen Foster, pubblicata per la prima volta nel 1848. È tra le canzoni americane più popolari mai scritte. Foster la scrisse quando ancora lavorava come contabile nell'azienda di suo fratello a Cincinnati. Il titolo della canzone potrebbe riferirsi alla defunta sorella di Foster, Charlotte, il cui secondo nome era Susannah.
