When I was just a little boy
Away across the sea
I heard a lot of pretty songs
At my mother's knee
And there was only one place
I wanted to be
In Dixie way down south
I wanted to be a darkie
Making music all the day
Didn't want to be white folk
'Cause they don't know how to play
But Australia
Seems like a long way away
From Dixie way down south
So I'd sing "Mammy"
And get down on one knee
And dream that Alabamy
Was the only place for me
My heart was breaking
'Cause on some distant shore
Folks were eating possum
'Til they couldn't eat no more
But now that I've been down there
I got a big surprise
No magnolias blossomed there
Before my very eyes
And I'd like to know who made up
All those god damned lies
About Dixie way down south
