My Old KY Home Compilation
Full 1853 lyrics compiled from recordings by The Minster Singers, Elizabeth Spencer, Invincible Quartette, Madame Alma Gluck, Trinity Mixed Quartette, Frieda Hempel, George Alexander, Trinity Mixed Quartette.
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Stephen Foster, “My Old Kentucky Home” (1853)
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, ‘Tis summer, the darkies are gay, The corn top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom, While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, All merry, all happy and bright; By’n by Hard Times comes a knocking […]
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Stephen Foster, “Poor Uncle Tom good night” draft from Foster’s “Sketchbook,” Stephen Foster Collection, University of Pittsburgh
De sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, ‘Tis summer, de darkies are gay, De corn top’s ripe and de meadow’s in de bloom, While de birds make music all the day. De young folks roll on de little cabin floor, All merry, all happy and bright; By’n by Hard Times comes a knocking […]
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Joseph McCarter Simpson, “The Fugitive’s Dream,” (1856)
Melody: “My Old Kentucky Home” I dreamed last night of my old Kentucky home, Of my old Kentueky [sic] home far away; I thought old master and I were all alone In the parlor about the break of day. I thought old master was weeping like a child, Said I, O Master, what is wrong? […]
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Nannie Ringo Mitchell and the Paris, Kentucky United Daughters of the Confederacy, “My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night” from Songs of the Confederacy and Plantation Melodies (1901)
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, ‘Tis summer, the darkies are gay, The corn top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom, While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, All merry, all happy and bright; By’n by Hard Times comes a knocking […]
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“The Mountains of Light” Spiritual Songs for Circles (1912)
Air—“My Old Kentucky Home” The skies are fair in the spirits’ happy home, The flowers never wither or blight, And the music is sweet of the voices that we love On the Beautiful Mountains of Light. Chorus We sing for joy, ye children; Sing with the angels who come; The beautiful band who visit earth-land, […]
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“My Old Kentucky Home,” The Central Record (Lancaster, Kentucky), March 14, 1901 following the assassination of Kentucky Governor William Goebel
The sun shines bright in my old Kentucky home, The voters are boozy and gay; The rye is ripe and the Bourbon is in bloom, And the shotgun makes music all the day. The stone jug rises to kiss the waiting mouth, And the upturned eyes gladly play On the soft blue skies of the […]
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Joseph S. Cotter, “My Present Day Old Kentucky Home” (1921)
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, ‘Tis summer, the Negroes are gay; The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom, While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, All merry, all happy and bright; By’n by Hard Times comes a knocking at […]
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Randy Newman, “Old Kentucky Home,” (1970)
Turpentine and dandelion wine I've turned the corner and I'm doin' fine Shootin' at the birds on the telephone line Pickin' em off with this gun of mine I got a fire in my belly And a fire in my head Goin' higher and higher Until I'm dead Sister Sue, she's short and stout She […]
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“My Old Kentucky Home” revised by resolution of Kentucky General Assembly (1986)
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, 'Tis summer, the people are gay; The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom, While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, All merry, all happy and bright; By 'n' by Hard Times comes a-knocking at […]
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