Kentucky Derby Q & A
You have questions. Miss Jo has answers:
Q: Nerd. I assume you must know something about that song they always play.
A: Of course. It’s “My Old Kentucky Home,” written by Stephen Foster. No one can be sure that Stephen Foster ever visited Kentucky, and it certainly wasn’t his “home,” but it is one of the more recognizable tunes penned by this folk icon who died tragically young.
The song is played as the horses step on the track. Many folks sing along. Some just get weepy. And if you’re in the infield, by this point you’re probably too drunk to know the difference.
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the 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 comes 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 my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.
Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the 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 comes 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 my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.
