The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.
It's summer, the people are gay.
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom
while the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
all merry, all happy and bright.
By and by hard times comes a-knockin' at the door.
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.

They hunt no more for the possum and the coon,
on the meadow, the hill and the shore.
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon
on the bench by the old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the hearth
with sorrow where all was delight
The time has come when my brothers have to part.
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.

The head must bow and the back will have to bend
wherever the people may go.
A few more days and the trouble all will end
in the field where the sugarcanes grow.
No matter, 't will never be light.
A few more days 'til we totter on the road.
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.