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Map of the Suwannee River basin "Old Folks at Home" was commissioned in 1851 by E. P. Christy for use by Christy's Minstrels, his minstrel troupe. Christy also asked to be credited as the song's creator, and was so credited on early sheet music printings. As a result, while the song was a success, Foster did not directly profit much from it ...
Swanee" is an American popular song written in 1919 by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Irving Caesar. It is most often associated with singer Al Jolson . The song was written for a New York City revue called Demi-Tasse , which opened in October 1919 at the Capitol Theater.
In 1983, then-governor Bob Graham suggested adding another, more upbeat state song. [10] In 1997, state Representative Willie Logan introduced a bill to change the song, citing the offensive nature of the lyrics; [10] the bill was strongly opposed by lawmakers who represented the Suwannee River region, and ultimately was withdrawn by Logan. [11]
The Suwannee River is the site of the prehistoric Suwanee Straits that separated the Florida peninsula from the Florida panhandle and the rest of the continent. Spelled as "Swanee", it is the namesake of two famous songs: "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" (1851) and "Swanee" (1919).
Foster's songs, lyrics, and melodies have often been altered by publishers and performers. [23] In 1957 Ray Charles released a version of "Old Folks at Home" that was titled "Swanee River Rock (Talkin’ ’Bout That River)", which became his first pop hit that November. [24] In the 2000s [when?
Swanee River may refer to: Old Folks at Home, an 1851 song often known unofficially as "Swanee River", written by Stephen Foster; Swanee River, an ...
Foster wrote the music and lyrics for "My Old Kentucky Home", adopted by Kentucky in 1928, and "Old Folks at Home" (better known as "Swanee Ribber" or "Suwannee River"), adopted by Florida in 1935. [1]
[19] An Indiana newspaper compared the song in popularity to "Swanee River" and wrote, "Mr. Dresser ... has endeavored to perpetuate the beauties of the Wabash as did Stephen Foster that of the Suwannee River, and certainly no song since the latter has awakened so much interest among lovers of a good song, nor has any other American author ...