Down among the cane brakes

S. Foster

Once I could laugh and play,

When in life's early day,

Then I was far away --

Down among the cane-brakes.

CHORUS:

Down among the cane-brakes on the Mississippi shore

Oh! those happy days, those happy days are o'er!

Oh! those happy days will come back no more!

Yes I was free from care;

All was bright summer there;

Dark days to me were fair --

Down among the cane-brakes.

(

CHORUS

There lived my mother dear

(Gone from this world I fear)

There rang our voices clear

Down among the cane-brakes.

(

CHORUS

There lived a lovely one,

Who like the rest has gone, --

She might have been my own

Down among the cane-brakes.

(

CHORUS

Long years have glided by

Since then I breathed each sigh, --

May I return to die

Down among the cane-brakes.

(

CHORUS