The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Tis summer, the darkies are gay
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in 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 'n by hard times come a-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home good night
        
Weep no more, my lady
Oh, weep no more, today
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home far away.
        
They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They  sing  no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the  bench  by that  old  cabin  door. 
The day goes by like a  shadow  o'er  the heart, 
With sorrow where all was delight. 
The time has come  when the darkies have to part, 
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.
        
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the poor folks may go
A few more days and the trouble will end,
In the field where sugar-canes may grow.
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night.