<P> The song is not only one of Stephen Foster's best - known songs, but also one of the best - known American songs . No American song had sold more than 5,000 copies before; "Oh! Susanna" sold over 100,000 . After its publication, it quickly became known as an "unofficial theme of the Forty - Niners", with new lyrics about traveling to California with a "washpan on my knee". A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch version uses Foster's melody but replaces the lyrics entirely . </P> <P> Lyrics themselves: 1 . I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee--I'm goin' to Louisiana my true love for to see . It rained 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, do not cry for me; I come from Alabama, with my Banjo on my knee . 2 . (This verse is rarely sung in its original form today; to avoid the racially offensive language of the original lyrics, the word "Nigger" is often replaced with "chigger") I jumped aboard the telegraph and traveled down the river, Electric fluid magnified, and killed five hundred Nigger . The bullgine bust, the horse ran off, I really thought I'd die; I shut my eyes to hold my breath--Susanna, don't you cry . Chorus: 3 . I had a dream the other night, when everything was still; I thought I saw Susanna dear, a comin' down the hill . The buckwheat cake was in her mouth, a tear was in her eye, I says, "I've coming from the South" - Susanna, don't you cry . Chorus: An unauthorized fourth verse was added: 4 . I soon will be in New Orleans, and then I'll look all around, And when I find Susanna, I'll fall upon the ground . But if I do not find her, this darkie'll surely die, And when I'm dead and buried--Susanna, don't you cry . </P> <P> Oh, I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee! Going to Louisiana, my true love for to see Oh Susanna! Oh don't you cry for me! For I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry The sun so hot I froze to death, Susannah don't you cry Oh Susanna! Oh don't you cry for me! For I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee! </P> <P> I had a dream the other night, when everything was still I thought I saw Susannah dear a-comin' down the hill A red red rose was in her hand, a tear was in her eye I said I come from dixieland, Susannah don't you cry! Oh Susannah! Oh, don't you cry for me! For I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee I soon will be in New Orleans, and then I'll look all around, And when I find Susanna, I'll fall upon the ground . But if I do not find her, then surely about to die, And when I'm dead and buried--Susanna, don't you cry . Oh Susanna! Oh, don't you cry for me! For I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee </P>

Going to alabama with a banjo on my knee lyrics