- Written by
- James A. Bland
- Composition date
- 1878
- Language
- English
- ISWC
-
T-913.147.814-3 ISWC
- Comments
-
Bland was a black Northerner who wrote this song from a freed slave's perspective about wanting to go back home to Virginia. It was Virginia's state song from 1940 until 1997, until the lyrical content became too controversial.
Carry me back yeah to old Virginny
That's where the cotton and corn and taters grow
That's where the birds yeah warble sweet in the spring-time
That's where this heart of mine, yeah longs to go
I'm not afraid, come on and carry me back to old Virginny
There let me live till I wither and decay
Long by the old Dismal Swamp have I wandered
That's where this life of mine will pass away
Well let me tell you, mother and father have gone before me
And I know, soon we will meet on that bright and golden shore
Uhmm we will be happy and free from all sorrow
And there we'll meet, and part no more
Note: There is an 1847 song with a similar title, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," but with different lyrics and melody that was performed by E.P. Christy (of Christy's Minstrels) (and was about a boat). (See attached lyrics) - Licensing
- Request a synchronization license
Versions
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny written by James A. Bland English
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny written by James A. Bland instrumental
Carry Me Back to Transylvania written by Gene Moss English
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carry Me Back to Transylvania | Gene Moss | 1964 | First release |
Warte auf mich in Old Virginia written by Günter Loose, Lotar Olias German
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warte auf mich in Old Virginia | Freddy | September 1968 | First release |
Geh'n wir nochmal den Weg nach Westen written by Peter Held German
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geh'n wir nochmal den Weg nach Westen | Freddy Quinn | 1992 | First release |
Lóan er komin written by Páll Ólafsson Icelandic
Fjellhamarælva written by Finn Evensen Norwegian
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fjellhamarælva | Bjelleklang | 1995 | First release |
Hem till Virginia written by Ejnar Westling Swedish
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hem till Virginia | Tommys | 1992 |