Suwanee River/Old Folks At Home
|
Old Folks At Home or Suwanee River  |
This beloved and universally sung melody was written by Foster in 1851, the first year of his married life, and was published by Firth & Pond of New York, the publishers with whom Foster had many years of very happy relations. From it they realized upwards of $15,000. It is indeed one of Foster's finest inspirations and also one of the world's most loved songs. The first draft of the song in Foster's own handwriting, is now in the possession of his grand-daughter, Mrs. A. D. Rose, who is the custodian of the Foster Memorial Home in Pittsburgh. The first version was entitled "Way Down Upon de Old Plantation" and uses the name of the Pedee River instead of Suwanee. No doubt his uncertainty as to the suitability of the name is indicated by the double line under the word "Pedee". |
| Morrison Foster tells the story of how the name Suwanee was finally bestowed: One day, Stephen walked into his (Morrison's) office and asked him to suggest the name of a southern river of two syllables. Morrison suggested "Yazoo", but that did not particularly appeal to the poet's idea of harmony. So he took down and atlas and after briefly looking over the map of the United States, the name Suwanee was decided on; "That's it, that's it," Stephen cried on hearing the name, and thus a little insignificant stream, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico, became immortalized. Again, it must be stressed at this time, that excepting a few trips to Kentucky, Foster had never been in the South; his feeling for the plaintive spirit of the negro song was simply and innate talent. Perhaps, it was first brought to the surface when, as a little boy, he would attend the colored shouting camp meeting with a mulatto maid of the Foster family, to whom Stephen was much devoted. (Photo: From H. V. Milligan's biography; S. C. Foster. Courtesy of G. Schirmer & Co., Pub.)
|
|
 |
|
 |
erected October 27, 1928, at Fargo, Ga., the source of the famous stream, Suwanee River. The spot is designated on the outline map, below. In the Atlanta Journal of the same date the following is recorded: "Before a perfect southern sun and a gathering of several hundred guests, who had assembled from all parts of the State, Georgia today paid grateful tribute to the memory of Stephen Foster, composer of Suwanee River, on the banks of the stream he had made famous throughout the world. In the center of this little south Georgia town, a granite shaft was unveiled to commemorate the composer and the song, where the placid river flows under the highway and railway bridges on it's way to Florida and the Gulf.... |
| The great debt which Georgians of all future generations owe to Foster was emphasized by Dr. R. H. Powell, president of the Georgia State College for Women, in his statement: 'It was not the Suwanee River which made Stephen Foster famous, but it was his magic genius which carried the name of our beloved stream over the earth.' He paid tribute to the composer as one of the great benefactors of mankind, whose music has the intimate touch of humanity in it's most human moments." Charles J. Haden, donor of the monument, is standing at the left in the picture. (Photo: Copyright Sims Visual Music Co.)
|
|
 |
showing the source of the Suwanee River at Fargo, Ga., also Suwanee County, Suwanee Village and Suwanee Bay. (Photo: Copyright Sims Visual Music Co.) |
| Suwannee River Jam Canoe Expeditions Down The Suwannee River | |
 |
 |
 |
|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
||
http://www.bobjanuary.com/foster/sf9.htm