"I'm Trab'ling Back Again" (1879)
Song & Chorus
By O. F. Berdan

Adrian, MI: O. F. Berdan
T. A. Bacher, Engr. & Pr., Philadelphia
[Source: 02061@LoC]

1.
I'm a trab'ling back again,
Couldn't stay away no mo';
Want to hear my children sing,
Like dey sung in days of afore.
I'm a comin!
Yes, a comin!
Keep a watchin' by de window;
Keep a listt'nin', fo' you will hear me,
I'm a trab'lin' back again!

[If used as minstrel act, let quartette be sung
behind scenes, using words in parenthesis(-).
In such case, the old man remains silent, listening.]
CHORUS 1 and 2
Oh yes, I (he) am (is) comin' back dis way;
Yes, my (dear) honey an' I'm (he's) gwine to stay!
I (He) will meet you, honey, some bright day,
For I'm (he's) trab'ling back again, back again.

2.
I'm  trab'ling to my home,
I'se now right on my way.
Is a gwine no more to roam,
I'se almost home dis day.
Hark I hear them,
Yes de children
They are runing out to see us,
Oh I see them they are a comin'
They are comin' out to me!

3.
I'm a comin home again,
Gwine to set right down for to stay,
Ain't a had no rest, my dear,
Since de time I went away!
I'm a comin',
Yes, a comin'
Comin back to see de children;
Bless you honey! why, don't you know me!
It's de old man home again!

CHORUS 3
Oh, yes, I've (he's) been comin' back dis way;
Yes, my (dear) honey an' I've (he's come to stay!
Glad to meet you, chil'en, dis bright day,
For de ole man's home again, home again.