Old Folks at Home (by the East River) — Jason Paul performance

The performance

2 recordings

YouTube Short 1

Old Folks at Home (by the East River) [1851] – Stephen Foster | Adapted by Jason Paul

November 1, 2025

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Lyrics and chords

Words and music by Stephen Foster

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Verse 1

C Way G7 down upon the C Swanee F River, C Far, far aG7way

C That's G7 where my heart is C turning F ever C That's where the G7 old folks C stay

Verse 2

C All G7 up and down the C whole creFation, C Sadly I G7 roam

C Still G7 longing for the C old planFtation C And for the G7 old folks at C home

Chorus

G7 All the world is C sad and dreary, F everywhere I C roam G7

C Oh, G7 brother, how my C heart grows F weary, C far from the G7 old folks at C home

Verse 3

C All G7 'round the little C farm I F wandered, C When I was G7 young

C Then G7 many happy C days I F squandered, C Many the G7 songs I C sung

Chorus

G7 All the world is C sad and dreary, F everywhere I C roam G7

C Oh, G7 brother, how my C heart grows F weary, C far from the G7 old folks at C home

Extra verses

C One G7 little hut aCmong the F bushes, C One that I G7 love

C Still G7 sadly to my C mem'ry F rushes, C No matter G7 where I C rove

C When G7 shall I see the C bees a F humming, C All 'round the G7 comb

C When G7 shall I hear the C banjo F strumming, C Down by my G7 good old C home

Saved chart 2

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Verse 1

G Way D7 downtown by thGe East C River, G Far, far aD7way

G That's D7 where my heart is G turning C ever G That's where the D7 old folks G stay

Verse 2

G All D7 up and down the G whole creCation, G Sadly I D7 roam

G Still D7 longing for the G old train CstationG And for theD7 old folks atG home

Chorus

D7 All the world is G sad and dreary, C everywhere I G roam D7

G Oh, D7 mother, how my G heart grows C weary, G far from the D7 old folks at G home

Verse 3

G All D7 'round the lower Geast I Cwandered, GWhen I was D7young

G Then D7 many happy G days I C squandered, G Many the D7 songs I G sung

Chorus

D7 All the world is G sad and dreary, C everywhere I G roam D7

G Oh, D7 mother, how my G heart grows C weary, G far from the D7 old folks at G home

Extra verses

GA raiD7nbow park betGween the C buildingGs, One thatD7 I love

G Still D7 sadly to my G mem'ry C rushes, G No matter D7 where I G rove

G ThereD7 shall I see oldG LadiesC chumming,G All 'round theD7 green

G thereD7 i'll hear car stGeroes aC bumping, shGaking my deD7ar old scGene

Saved chart 3

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Verse 1

C Way G7 downtown by thCe East F River, C Far, far aG7way

C That's G7 where my heart is C turning F ever C That's where the G7 old folks C stay

Verse 2

C All G7 'round the lower Ceast I Fwandered, CWhen I was G7young

C Then G7 many happy C days I F squandered, C Many the G7 songs I C sung

Chorus

G7 All the world is C sad and dreary, F everywhere I C roam G7

C Oh, G7 brother, how my C heart grows F weary, C far from the G7 old folks at C home

Verse3

CA raiG7nbow park betCween the F buildingCs, One thatG7 I love

C Still G7 sadly to my C mem'ry F rushes, C No matter G7 where I C rove

Chorus

G7 All the world is C sad and dreary, F everywhere I C roam G7

C Oh, G7 brother, how my C heart grows F weary, C far from the G7 old folks at C home

Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home” (1851), known by its opening line “Way down upon the Swanee River,” became one of America’s most familiar melodies. The song’s beauty and melancholy are undeniable, though its origins lie in a tradition that has caused pain and division. This version, “Old Folks at Home (East River),” adapts the lyrics and setting to the Lower East Side of New York City, where I live and record. It preserves the sense of longing and belonging while transforming the song into a portrait of my own neighborhood and time. #StephenFoster #JasonPaul #AmericanSong #LowerEastSide #shorts