Origin: Stephen Foster (1848)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Notes Used: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C (high), D (high)
Time Signature: 2/4
Key: D Major
One of Stephen Foster's most famous songs, this became an anthem of the California Gold Rush and remains a beloved American standard.
Famous chorus (1848, public domain):
Oh! Susanna, oh don't you cry for me,
For I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.
Practice the opening ascending eighth note pattern.
Master the quick ascending pattern.
Practice the smooth descending pattern.
Practice the D major triad pattern.
Put together the entire chorus.
Oh! Susanna was written by Stephen Foster in 1847 and published in 1848. It quickly became one of the most popular American songs of the 19th century. The song became an anthem of westward expansion and the California Gold Rush, as thousands of "forty-niners" sang it on their journey west. Foster, known as "the father of American music," wrote the song when he was just 21 years old. While originally a minstrel song, the simple, catchy melody transcended its origins to become a beloved American standard. The song's enduring popularity demonstrates Foster's gift for creating memorable, singable melodies that capture the American spirit.
Once you can play Oh! Susanna confidently, try: