I wus fetch up fur away
Frum dis city whar I stay,
In de lan’ ob shinin’ day
Whar de watermilyun grow.
Oh, my boss heah treat me gran’!
But I sad, you understan’,
Longing fo’ de Dixie lan’
Whar de watermilyun grow.
Fiel’s ob cotton beckon me,
En de sweet magnolia tree,
En my heart des cry ter be
Whar de watermilyun grow.
Oh, de South am des de place
Fo’ de thirsty cullud race!
En I long ter turn my face
Whar de watermilyun grow.

If dey try to ’tice you ’way,
Don’t you lis’n what dey say,
Kaze de nigger bo’n ter stay
Whar de watermilyun grow.