I don't know the melody, but aren't these lyrics remarkably similar to Stephen Foster's My Old Kentucky Home? His, according to

American Music, Stephen Foster pages

was published in 1853, but these two in 1879 and 1884.

The following lyrics are from the DT and have been PC'd from the version I knew as a child.

OLD KENTUCKY HOME
(Stephen Foster)

The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
'Tis summer, the folks there 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.

@nostalgia @South
filename[ KENTYHOM

Sorry if this has been mentioned previously. I searched, but found nothing comparing these songs.

Mary