Joan Baez - The Sweet Sunny South lyrics

The Sweet Sunny South

Lyrics: Traditional

Music: Traditional

This was played a few times by Jerry with David Grisman in 1990-92 and long before that with the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers in 1962. The lyrics for the two versions are almost identical (thanks to Matt Schofield for checking the 1962 version)

Take me back to the place where I first saw the light

To the sweet sunny south take me home

Where the mockingbirds sing me to rest every night

Oh, why was I tempted to roam?

I think with regret of the dear home I left

Of the warm hearts that sheltered me there

Of wife and of dear ones of whom I'm bereft

For the old place again do I sigh

Take me back to the place where the orange trees grow

To my plot in the evergreen shade

Where the flowers from the river's green margins did grow (note 1)

And spread their sweet scent through the glade

Oh the path to our cottage they say has grown green (note 2)

And the place is quite lonely around

I know that the smiles and the forms I have seen

Now lie in the dark mossy ground

Take me back, let me see what is left that I knew

Can it be that the old house is gone?

Dear friends of my childhood indeed must be few

And I must face death all alone

But yet I'll return to the place of my birth

Where the children have played round the door

Where they gathered wild blossoms that grow round the path

They'll echo our footsteps no more

Take me back to the place where my little ones sleep

Poor Massa lies buried close by

By the graves of my loved ones, I long for to weep

And among them to rest when I die

Take me back to the place where I first saw the light

To the sweet sunny south take me home

Where the mockingbirds sing me to rest every night

Oh, why was I tempted to roam?