Listen to the Mockingbird was written in 1855 by Septimus Winner in Philadelphia. It quickly became one of the most widely circulated American songs of the 19th century, moving from the parlor into popular and folk use. The song remained in circulation well into the 20th century through recordings by singers such as Burl Ives, The Carter Family, and Dolly Parton, each reflecting a different strand of its long afterlife. This performance is presented with voice and acoustic guitar. Song: Listen to the Mockingbird Written by: Septimus Winner (1855), Philadelphia Performance: Jason Paul – voice & guitar, foot tambourine
Listen to the Mockingbird
Lyrics and chords
Music by Richard Milburn · Words by Septimus Winner (Alice Hawthorne)
verse 1
I’m A7dreaming now of sweet DHallie,
My sweet A7Hallie, my sweet DHallie
I’m A7dreaming now of my DHallie
For the Gthought of her is A7one that never Ddies
She’s A7sleeping here in the Dvalley,
In the A7valley, in the Dvalley
She’s A7sleeping here in the Dvalley
And the Gmocking bird is A7singing where she Dlies
chorus
Listen to the A7mocking bird,
Listen to the Dmocking bird
The A7mocking bird still singing o’er her Dgrave
listen to the A7mocking bird
Listen to the Dmocking bird
D7still Gsinging Where the A7weeping willows Dwave
verse 2
Ah A7well I yet can reDmember,
I reA7member, I reDmember
Ah A7well I yet can reDmember
When we Ggathered in the A7cotton side by Dside
‘Twas A7in the mild mid-SepDtember,
in SepA7tember, in SepDtember
‘Twas A7In the mild mid-SepDtember
And the Gmocking bird was A7singing far and Dwide
verse 3
When A7charms of spring are aDwaken,
are aA7waken, are aDwaken
When A7charms of spring are aDwaken
And the Gmocking bird is A7singing on the Dbough
I A7feel like one so foreDsaken,
so forA7saken, so forDsaken
I A7feel like one so forDsaken
Since my GHallie is no A7longer with me Dnow