On the Banks of the Wabash Far Away (1897)

Details

Description

A beautiful, sentimental ballad set in Indiana.
words by Theodore Dreiser
music by Paul Dresser
published by Howley, Haviland & Co.

sung by sheet music singer, Fred Feild
piano according to the sheet music

1. 'Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool
Often times my tho'ts revert to scenes of childhood
Where I first received my lessons Nature's school
But one thing there is missing in the picture
Without her face it seems so incomplete
I long to see my mother in the doorway
As she stood there years ago, her boy to greet

Chorus:
Oh, the moonlight's fair tonight along the Wabash
From the fields there comes the breath of new mown hay
Through the sycamores the candle lights are gleaming
On the banks of the Wabash far away

2. Many years have passed since I strolled by the river
Arm in arm, with sweetheart Mary by my side
It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her
It was there I begged of her to be my bride
Long years have passed since I strolled thro' the churchyard
She's sleeping there my angel Mary dear
I loved her but she thought I didn't mean it
Still I'd give my future were she only here

A great song for simplicity, nostalgia, and beauty of lyric and melody. It is the state song of Indiana.

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Get the sheet music and MIDI at:
https://www.sheetmusicsinger.com/on-the-banks-of-the-wabash-far-away/