(Verse 1)
Once I could laugh and play
When in life's early day
Then I was far away
Down among the cane brakes

(Chorus)
Down among the cane brakes on the Mississippi shore
Oh, those happy days, those happy days are o'er
Oh, those happy days will come back no more

(Verse 2)
Yes, I was free from care
All was bright summer there
Dark days to me were fair
Down among the cane brakes

(Chorus)
Down among the cane brakes on the Mississippi shore
Oh, those happy days, those happy days are o'er
Oh, those happy days will come back no more

(Verse 3)
There lived my mother dear
Gone from this world, I fear
There rang our voices clear
Down among the cane brakes
(Chorus)
Down among the cane brakes on the Mississippi shore
Oh, those happy days, those happy days are o'er
Oh, those happy days will come back no more

(Verse 4)
There lived a lovely one
Who like the rest has gone
She might have been my own
Down among the cane brakes

(Chorus)
Down among the cane brakes on the Mississippi shore
Oh, those happy days, those happy days are o'er
Oh, those happy days will come back no more

(Verse 5)
Long years have glided by
Since then I breathed each sigh
May I return to die
Down among the cane brakes

(Chorus)
Down among the cane brakes on the Mississippi shore
Oh, those happy days, those happy days are o'er
Oh, those happy days will come back no more