948. Oh! Susanna (Stephen Foster)

[themetalrip1]

0:03 his mouth suddenly opens

[mtnchn100]

your voice is nice.....

[raymondcrooke]

@mtnchn100 Thank you.

[DirtyBollix]

good job

[raymondcrooke]

@DirtyBollix Thank you.

[TheFlowster73]

I was looking for the original version of this song and I found this, which I believe to be the original lyrics. Reading the comments I can see there is some resentment toward the lyrics. I had heard a long time ago that it was about a freed slave after the civil war going to Louisiana looking for his wife who had been sold away. I see that Stephen Foster was a white man. Wonder if he stole the song. Or just had the imagination to write a song from the perspective of a freed slave.

[raymondcrooke]

@TheFlowster73 Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[TheFlowster73]

@raymondcrooke Thanks for recording the original version and putting it out there. Hate to see these old gems get lost to time.

[Haminsk122]

tabs?

[daFattylover]

Nice rendition of this great song, Stephen Foster would be pleased.

[llienoharas]

aawh, your so cute!

[andus5]

you racist!! whats wrong with you ah? you are human too!

[xxsuzaxx]

the song dosent define me obviously

[xxsuzaxx]

why do u have to make a song with my name in

[raymondcrooke]

@xxsuzaxx I didn't make the song. Stephen Foster did. And the song was made before you were!

[daFattylover]

@raymondcrooke Would you mind posting what chords you play, I notice you play a G, D and maybe a D variation? Anyway if you could tell me the chords you play and the strings you pick I would appreciate it. I can't find any decent tabs for it.

[raymondcrooke]

@daFattylover The chords are on my website. See the link in the information panel above. Click on "My Folk Songs," then "American Songs" and you will find it. I don't think about the strings I pick. The thumb just plays the A and D strings alternately with three fingers plucking the three top strings.

[daFattylover]

@raymondcrooke Thanks! And nice website, looks like you play a lot of good songs.

[raymondcrooke]

@daFattylover Thanks for subscribing.

[latela33]

You Morons, It's not racist as long as it doesn't insult you KaKazoids. There are so many songs and literature you've composed and written that it's impossible to keep track of it all. And you dare call it Politically Correct, as if it's a bad thing to be. You have no manners and you are spoiled senseless because you have never been the recipients of long term mental, physical and spiritual abuse. Your irreverence makes me puke. How dare you trivialize the vile lyrics in this song.

[raymondcrooke]

@latela33 Thanks for sharing your point of view.

[stewballmax3]

Salutations

Raymond... I was viewing Lew's interpretation just now,and I noticed that you have attached your rendition to it,so I simply HAD to investigate. Sadly,the works of Stephen Foster are virtually unknown to this current generation due to the fact that they have been omitted from the classroom songbooks by the politically correct police. It is my advocation to rectify this concern...and your interpretation offered here is a firm stepping stone towards that coming into fruition.

~Max

[raymondcrooke]

@stewballmax3 It's a pity if these songs can't be passed on to future generations. You know my feelings about political correctness!

[hellwolf882]

i love this song so much thank you for uploading it i was looking for it every were and couldent find the right version

[raymondcrooke]

@hellwolf882 The political correctness police would not consider this the "right version"!

[fsueich]

Raymond, I enjoyed listening to you sing/play that song more than any other person/band I have viewed on the net thus far. Nice Job!

[raymondcrooke]

@fsueich Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[jaydelivers]

That was great. I must have watched 20 different versions of this song on youtube and you are the best. You are now on my favorites list. Great Job.

[raymondcrooke]

@jaydelivers Thanks for your encouragement.

[2142543]

Hi Raymond, would you let me know what kind of camera you use. Is it HD...thanks....Dan

[raymondcrooke]

@2142543 Just the inbuilt camera on my MacBook.

[crazymatthew53]

Great Song, Raymond!!!!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for watching, Matthew.

[crazymatthew53]

@raymondcrooke You're welcome!!! You're the best guiar player ever!!!!

[rosamoges]

i am from Ethiopia, currently studying the American popular music, i end up on this video looking for STEPHEN FOSTER and Ethiopian music relation. any way i really likes the song!! good work, for me music is an art whatever message it carry....

[raymondcrooke]

Welcome to my channel. That's quite a challenging topic. Not sure what connections you'll find between Stephen Foster and Ethiopian music!

[Typhus2009]

i wish i would have a grandpa like this!

[loptalinolux]

Nice singing!

Greetings from Croatia! :)

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you. Greetings from Thailand! (Well, I'm only here for a few days.)

[susanafoster]

Eu adorei. :)

[philmx0a]

lovely

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you.

[OfficialArmonist]

Awesome!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks.

[jayrbee60]

I came across an old treasure book of Stephen Foster's collections copyrighted in 1913, I think. I was quite surprised (shocked actually) of the terms they used back then. My, how the times have changed!

[raymondcrooke]

It shows just how far we have come since that time.

[jayrbee60]

My point exactly! :-) (oh and the book was actually 1903 and it was called "Heart Songs")

[stewballmax3]

@jayrbee60

Hello

John...

Please don't forget the venues in which Mr. Foster's songs were performed...The American music hall. Circa1980, ALL of the Stephen Foster catalog had been blindly removed from the song books used in the school systems across the United States. Ironically,these were the softer,contemporary 'modified' editions. Sadly,most young people today are not familiar with the works of S.F. due to the PC police. It is my personal mission to rectify this travesty.

Pax,

Max

[jayrbee60]

@stewballmax3 I do not disagree and commend your efforts. S.F. was a childhood idol of mine, but sadly, over the years I have forgotten many of his songs. When I hear one, it bbrings back fond memories. Even, then in the 1960's I learned the "softer versions" I guess that is better than loosing them all together. But I also believe that the real versions should be discussed in the proper context of the times in which they were written.

[stewballmax3]

@jayrbee60

Coming to You Tube and discussing our American music heritage is so refreshing. Apparently,Foster's musical legacy lives on through folks such as Raymond,lewdite (and yourself,of course). Thank you for your insightful reply,John.

Take Care,

Max

[jayrbee60]

@stewballmax3 I see nothing wrong with this song, other than the politically incorrect term that is used. But it is not used in a slanderous way, (imho) but rather as a term that was used back then. I can also see however that it could be injurious to the cause of racial bipartisonship. I wish i could share this book with you, it is a true gem of Americana Music and a joy to read. (and don't forget your promotion of these musical interludes) Cheers to you!

[mktmic7]

very good********

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Mike.

[Ratbag75]

I remember this song from school, musical eduction and all that. :P

Very nice mate.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. You probably learnt the politically correct version though.

[Ratbag75]

Yeah, don't really think they would teach us a song with that kind of text in it at school.

[starticket]

I love your songs raymond. What a fantastic resource for us all to enjoy and be inspired by x

[raymondcrooke]

Always good to know that people enjoy my songs. Thank you.

[liviu6]

5*****!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks.

[WilliamCerf]

You and Lew Dite rate up there as my two favourite YouTube performers. Great job, Raymond. I just love your singing and playing

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. It's an honour to be associated with Lew Dite.

[TravisTricky]

Interesting history!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for dropping by, Travis

[hultonclint]

Thanks for doing the full version with "bulgine." This song kicks ass.

[raymondcrooke]

I thought you'd like that word, Ranzo. Thanks for your comment.

[SirCoughsalot]

This is the first song I remember singing. One of your better ones, I think.

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you. It probably wasn't this version you sang!

[barttheanorak]

This is one of your most flawless cover versions (apart from the n-word).

I've never made requests before but how about doing When I First Came To This Land?

[raymondcrooke]

Okay. I'll put it on my list.

[ColinMeloy91]

AMAZING! I love this song. You did it PERFECT!!!!!!!!

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you. I'm pleased you liked it.

[Serge165]

Excellent, Raymond.

Raymond, oh Raymond, why won't you show me where, Avalar is hidden and we'll build our houses there

[raymondcrooke]

Maybe some other time. Thanks for watching, Serge.

[lewdite]

A great song and a great rendition...

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. Unfortunately I don't play the banjo, as in your wonderful rendition. Thanks for linking it to mine.

[sixtolojunior]

oh, susana no llores mas por mi en español lolol

[raymondcrooke]

Gracias por tu comentario.

[JeanaDylan83]

Always love this song.

It's Like You Can Read My Mind. hehe.

Nice cover of this song.

5 stars from me to you.

JeanaDylan83

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Jeana.

[mindfulmusic78]

Wow,bringing me back to knee height,hahah!! Nice one Raymond!!!!!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. Good to see you here. This version is not really a children's song though!

[mindfulmusic78]

Maybe so maybe not,Cheers to you for keeping it real though!!!!!!!!!