Swanee
Al Jolson
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I've been away from you a long time I never thought I'd missed you so Somehow I feel You love is real Near you I long towanna be The birds are singin', it is song time The banjos strummin' soft and low I know that you Yearn for me too Swanee ! You're calling me ! [Chorus] Swanee ! How I love you, how I love ! My dear ol' Swanee I'd give the world to be Among the folks in D-I-X-I-E-ven no[w]My mammy's Waiting for me Praying for me Down by the Swanee The folks up north will see me no more When I go to the Swanee Shore ! [Chorus] Swanee, Swanee, I am coming back to Swanee ! Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home ! [Chorus]
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Written by: George Gershwin, Irving Caesar
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
5 facts about this song
Historical Context"Swanee" is a popular American song written by George Gershwin and Irving Caesar in 1919. The song became widely recognized after renditions by Al Jolson and later, Judy Garland.
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Creation and PerformancesAl Jolson introduced "Swanee" in the winter of 1919 during his performances in the musical "Sinbad".
- The song was not part of the original musical but was later included due to its immense popularity.
- Judy Garland's version of "Swanee" was featured in the 1946 film "A Star is Born" and the song quickly became one of her signature pieces.
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Compositional Details"Swanee" was written by George Gershwin when he was just 20 years old. Gershwin is best known for his work in blending elements of classical music and jazz.
- Gershwin allegedly wrote "Swanee" in about ten minutes, inspired by Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home".
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Record Sales and RecognitionAl Jolson's recording of "Swanee" sold millions of copies and topped the charts for nine weeks in 1920.
- "Swanee" is arguably one of George Gershwin's most successful songs and helped catapult his career.
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Controversies and Popular CultureThe song is occasionally criticized for its romanticized depiction of the South in the United States, a popular theme in Gershwin's work, and is sometimes excluded from performances for this reason.
- Despite these controversies, "Swanee" remains a staple in American popular culture and has been covered by various artists in performances and recordings.
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"Swanee Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34078817/Al+Jolson/Swanee>.
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