DOWN WHERE THE SOUTH BEGINS
Words by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young; music by Russel Robinson.
New York: Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co., ©1924.
As sung by Billy Jones & Ernest Hare (The Happiness Boys)

1. I'm going to take you home with me.
How are we gonna get there?
Back home is where we ought to be.
Where will we dig up the fare?
Stop kidding! I'm so blue and you're asking me riddles.
Do you think you'll get home on talk?
I'll have you meet my ma and pa.
Say, I just hate to walk.

CHORUS: It's the end of roaming.
I'm home-sweet-homing
Down where the south begins.
It's the end of yearning
'Cause I'm returning
Down where the south begins.
Boy, oh, boy, your ... were a-smiling
When you went away.
Instead of joy, my troubles kept a-piling
More and more each day.
Who do you always want to see?
Where do you always want to be
When you're all alone?
Who do you keep remembering?
Why do I always want to sing,
"There's no place like home"?
There's a hush-a-bye-ing
Old lady crying
To wash away your sins.
It's the end of worryin',
No more hurryin',
Down where the south begins.

2. Why do we think the world is gay
Further and further away?
And why do we always long to stray
Further and further away?
When the short little miles become longer.
Then you think of that last goodbye.
I've known a million homesick pains.
That's just why I sigh: CHORUS TWICE

[There is another song with the same title:

DOWN WHERE THE SOUTH BEGINS
Words by Gus Kahn; music by Walter Donaldson.
New York: Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble Inc., ©1932.

First line of verse: I'm gettin' weary, I'm gettin' cold.
First line of chorus: You'll find the smiles a little pearlier.]