In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I've been away from you a long time.
I never thought I'd miss you so.
Somehow I feel, your love was real,
Near you I long to be.
The birds are singing, it is song time.
The banjo's strummin' soft and low.
I know that you yearn for me too,
Swanee you're calling me.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I even know my
Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up North will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
Swanee, Swanee I am coming back to Swanee.
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be among the folks in
D-I-X-I even know my Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
I never thought I'd miss you so.
Somehow I feel, your love was real,
Near you I long to be.
The birds are singing, it is song time.
The banjo's strummin' soft and low.
I know that you yearn for me too,
Swanee you're calling me.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I even know my
Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up North will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
Swanee, Swanee I am coming back to Swanee.
Mammy, Mammy, I love the old folks at home.
Swanee how I love ya, how I love ya
My dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be among the folks in
D-I-X-I even know my Mammy's waitin' for me prayin' for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to the Swanee shore.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Swanee / Sign-off, February 19, 1934 Lyrics as written by Irving Caesar George Gershwin
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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