People will naturally differ about taste for specific types of voices & phrasing, but I am beginning to think that this song shouldn't be performed by 'professionals'.....mainly because they seem to BE "performing" it, rather than just singing it. So far, the best I've heard it done was by amateurs in low key situations. I like hearing it 'as if' it were done in Foster's era, by someone having hard times.....and I have heard it done many, many times in sings and at parties.

I do like the McGarrigles' 'pacing' ok, but they don't quite get the phrasing.

Mary Black has a fine voice, but she is using the song to promote Mary Black, and is making it 'fit' the string band with her...

For a nice choral arrangement, listen to this version by some unnamed group.

For a solo voice with help on the chorus, listen to the 'feeling' and phrasing by Jim and Maggi Dalton (I hope that is the right URL...)


I admit, this is just my personal prejudice...but that song is pretty special...I like it almost anytime...(well, not by THIS bunch...but usually by a deeper voice, with slower phrasing.