Down Yonder
Hank Thompson · Other Songs - Hank Thompson
Writer L. Wolfe Gilbert
Railroad train, railroad train,
hurry some more; Put a little steam on just like never
before. Hustle on, bustle on,
I've got the blues, Yearning for my Swanee shore.
Brother if you only knew, you'd want to hurry up,
too. (Refrain:) Down yonder,
someone beckons to me, Down yonder,
someone reckons on me. I seem to see a race in memory
Between the Natchez and the Robert E.
Lee. Swanee shore, I miss you more and more; Ev'ryday,
my mammy land, you're simply grand Down yonder,
when the folks get the news,
Don't wonder at the hullabaloo.
There's Daddy and Mammy, there's Ephram and Sammy,
Waitin' down yonder for me.
Summer night, fields of white,
bright cotton moon ? My, but I feel glad I'm gonna
see you all soon! 'Lasses cakes mammy bakes,
I taste them now. I'll see my sweetie once more,
There's lots of kissing in store.
Down Yonder
Hank Thompson's "Down Yonder" stands as a quintessential example of country-western storytelling, capturing the weary spirit of the American South. Recorded in the mid-1950s, the track exemplifies Thompson's signature ability to weave personal narrative with the broader social landscape of his era. The song reflects the melancholic tone prevalent in country music during this period, focusing on themes of displacement and the search for home. As a staple of Thompson's discography, it showcases his mastery of the acoustic guitar and vocal delivery that defined the genre's evolution. The recording remains a significant piece of country music history, illustrating the emotional depth and lyrical precision that made Thompson a revered figure in the field.