(Verse 1)
Round de meadows am a-ringing
De darkeys' mournful song
While de mockingbird am singing
Happy as de day am long
Where de ivy am a-creeping
O'er de grassy mound
Dere old massa am a-sleeping
Sleeping in de cold, cold ground

(Chorus)
Down in de cornfield
Hear dat mournful sound
All de darkeys am a-weeping
Massa's in de cold, cold ground

(Verse 2)
When de autumn leaves were falling
When de days were cold
'Twas hard to hear old massa calling
'Cause he was so weak and old
Now de orange tree am blooming
On de sandy shore
Now de summer days am coming
Massa nebber calls no more
(Chorus)
Down in de cornfield
Hear dat mournful sound
All de darkeys am a-weeping
Massa's in de cold, cold ground

(Verse 3)
Massa made de darkeys love him
'Cause he was so kind
Now de sadly weep above him
Mourning 'cause he leave dem behind
I cannot work before tomorrow
'Cause de tear drops flow
I try to drive away my sorrow
Pickin' on de old banjo

(Chorus)
Down in de cornfield
Hear dat mournful sound
All de darkeys am a-weeping
Massa's in de cold, cold ground