I know I'm a few years late joining this thread.

For the origin of the song known as "Sweet Sunny South," suggest you see the Library of Congress image for "Take Me Home" (published 1853) on https://www.loc.gov/resource/sm1853.710410.0?st=gallery. The lyrics of that song should answer your question.

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We've got two origins threads going for "Sweet Sunny South," and it's getting confusing. I'm going to close this one. Please post in this origins thread (click).
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-