RING, RING THE BANJO
By Stephen C. Foster
(1826-1864)


De time is nebber dreary if de darkey nebber groans;
De ladies nebber weary wid de rattle of de bones:
Den come again Susanna by de gaslight ob de moon;
We'll tum de old Piano when de banjo's out ob tune.

Chorus: 

Ring, ring de banjo! I like dat good old song,
Come again my true lub, Oh! wha you been so long. 

Oh! nebber count de bubbles while der's water in de spring;
De darkey hab no troubles while he's got dis song to sing.
De beauties ob creation will nebber lose der charm
While I roam de old plantation wid my true lub on my arm.

Chorus

Once I was so lucky, my massa set me free,
I went to old Kentucky to see what I could see:
I could not go no farder,I turn to massa's door,
I lub him all de harder, I'll go away no more.

Chorus

Early in de morning ob a lubly summer day,
My massa sent me warning he'd like to hear me play.
On de banjo tapping, I come wid dulcem strain;
Massa fall a napping -- he'll nebber wake again.

Chorus

My lub, I'll hab to leabe you while de ribber's running high:
But I nebber can deceibe you -- so don't you wipe your eye.
I's guine to make some money; but I'll come anodder day --
I'll come again my honey, if I hab to work my way.

Chorus

Popular Songs of the Day