Composer

:

Stephen Foster

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1847

Average_duration

:

2:07

Oh! Susanna is a popular American folk song composed by Stephen Foster in 1847. It was first performed in a minstrel show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 1847. The song quickly became popular and was widely performed throughout the United States. The song is composed in a simple, catchy melody with a lively rhythm. It is written in the key of C major and has a moderate tempo. The song is typically performed with a banjo or guitar accompaniment and features a call-and-response structure. The lyrics of Oh! Susanna tell the story of a man who is traveling to Louisiana to see his sweetheart, Susanna. The song is filled with references to the American South, including the Mississippi River, New Orleans, and the Louisiana bayou. The song's chorus, "Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me, I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see," has become one of the most recognizable in American music. Oh! Susanna has four distinct movements, each with its own melody and lyrics. The first movement introduces the song's main melody and sets the scene for the story. The second movement features a new melody and lyrics that describe the journey to Louisiana. The third movement returns to the main melody and features the song's famous chorus. The final movement features a new melody and lyrics that describe the narrator's arrival in Louisiana and his reunion with Susanna. The song's popularity has endured for over 150 years and it has been performed by countless musicians in a variety of styles. It has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, and has become a beloved part of American musical culture.

More....