The Sweet Sunny South Lyrics - Joan Baez

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 

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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 

Photos 

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?