Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864): Oh! Susanna
作曲者早年组织了一个男声五重唱团,其中一位团员的妻子叫Susanna,活泼美丽,引起他的动机写下这首曲子。这首曲子幽默风趣,成为1840年代淘金客最爱唱的歌曲,并风靡整个美国。这首曲子歌词中的banjo是一种来自非洲的乐器,而其使用的拍子是刚从欧洲流行到美国的Polka舞曲节奏。
这是一首具有副歌的诗节式歌曲(strophic songs),歌词如下:
第一节
I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee—I’se gwine to Lou’siana my true lub for to see. It rain’d all night de day I left, de wedder it was dry; The sun so hot I froze to def—Susanna, dont you cry.
第二节
I jump’d aboard the telegraph and trabbeled down de ribber, De lectrie fluid magnified, and kill’d five hundred Nigger. De bullgine bust, de hoss ran off, I really thought I’d die; I shut my eyes to hold my bref—Susanna, dont you cry.
第三节
I had a dream de udder night, when ebry ting was still; I thought I saw Susanna dear, a coming down de hill. De buckweat cake was in her mouf, de tear was in her eye, I says, I’se coming from de souf, -- Susanna, dont you cry.
第四节
I soon will be in New Orleans, and den I’ll look all round, And when I find Susanna, I' fall upon the ground. But if I do not find her, dis darkie 'I surely die, And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna, dont you cry.
副歌
Oh! Susanna, do not cry for me; I come from Alabama, wid my Banjo on my knee.