Stephen Foster — Down Among the Cane Brakes

(Verse 1) 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 (Verse 2) Yes, I was free from care All was bright summer there Dark days to me were fair 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 (Verse 3) There lived my mother dear Gone from this world, I fear There rang our voices clear 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 (Verse 4) There lived a lovely one Who like the rest has gone She might have been my own 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 (Verse 5) Long years have glided by Since then I breathed each sigh May I return to die 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