CARRY ME BACK TO OLD VIRGINNY - 1873 - Performed By Tom Roush

[@karenmurphy6749]

My great grand mother grew up in Virginia. I can still hear her voice sing the old southern songs. In the spring of 1962 she passed away. She was 84 years old. I miss her singing. I miss the stories she told.

[@damianjackson7437]

Tell us more about great granny

[@frankrobinson6841]

God bless her

[@jasonblack4208]

....wow, you have vivid living memories of someone from the same generation as FDR

[@comradedarling]

@@jasonblack4208 Yes? That’s why it was so harrowing, from start to finish, thank you Ms. OP, take care.

[@simonkim1415]

Sorry to hear that, rest in peace.

[@robertsavedbygrace]

I grew up in Virginia. I used to sing this song with my classmates at Yorktown Elementary School, in 1962. IA haven't heard it in years until I stumbled on it here!

[@torreyvent9429]

Nineteen forty to ninety nine state Song.

[@michaelkang215]

I learned this song as a child growing up in Korea in late 60's. The lyric then was that of one who longs to go back home. I didn't realize the master/slave wording until I came to America. It is a beautiful tune. Thanks for sharing.

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

Most of the slaves had very close ties to their owners. The tales of evil were overblown before our Civil War and afterward by the victors. After all, a white family of maybe 7 or 8 could not control a hundred slaves or even a dozen. The system continued because of kindness, not the whip. That's the irony of it all. That old kindness is pretty much gone and forgotten, thanks to the Marxists.

[@LilCletus]

I went out to California to work, and after a while I prayed to God every night that he bring me back to Virginny. As of last month, prayers answered!

[@Maisie1969]

I went to California from Idaho as a young adult. I hated California from day one. My prayers are to go back to Idaho. I'm a senior citizen. My heart belongs in Idaho. I call it heaven. I'm a little closer to Idaho. I'm in Utah. I hate Utah as much as I hated California. I love seeing the country not the city.

[@edwiles5258]

i recall my mon singing this back in the early 50s when i was a pre schooler.......she had spent time as a girl living in the Arkansas Delta with balck folks....she spoke fondly of some of them and I think this song was one she picked up from an old black gentleman there in the Delta and sang it often out of good memories of growing up there....her respect for minorities was passed on to me via songs like this and i later became a musician and loved many of the original songs of black artists of the early rock and roll days....one of the original american art forms

[@reginareams1478]

My dad proudly sang this song. We are "old blood" Virginians...and proud of it..

[@dguy0386]

my family has roots in Pendleton County, West Virginia. deep enough to remember it once being Virginia, so in a way we're right there with you

[@tamikoestomo3275]

I am an Indonesian, but have deeply loved these songs since I was a small child. Thanks so much for posting this beautiful song!

[@khaccanhle1930]

If you visit the USA, you should visit Virginia. It's the most beautiful state in the east. I've visited 47 of the 50 states, so I say this with good knowledge.

[@cravingroom6129]

I'm Indonesian, living ini Virginia, I love Virginia for the reason that I never known :|

[@frankrobinson6841]

You are s kind soul

[@小嶋剛毅]

I think this version of "Carry me back to old virginny" is the best. That is, to listen it I feel as if I were standing now on the cotton field of the south of the 19th centtury old US before the Civil war. Thank you for Mr. Tom Roush with your beautiful singing voice. Say koki kojima Japan.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Gojima Kojima

[@Liv_387]

I'm Virginian and LOVE THIS SONG and don't plan on moving any time soon👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👍🏻❤❤❤❤

[@nathanielgutshall6975]

Amen sister

[@TheEpicDiamondMiner]

Hello from Glen Allen!

[@frankrobinson6841]

Good for you regards from England bueatifull song

[@frankrobinson6841]

God for you good Welsh name

[@janecampfield2732]

My father played this on his fiddle and I played rhythm guitar....I never heard the lyrics before! thanks for singing this beautiful, soulful song...

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

I would have liked to have heard that.

[@Teresa7087]

Lived in VA for nearly 40 yrs. A beautiful state.

[@density_9661]

I'm here from the book, "Marine! : The life of Chesty Puller" The best combat officer.. Ever. He was from virginia and the book had some anecdotes about this song when the division was finally returning home from Korean war after months of restless fighting. (Cheers from Nepal)

[@denisealvesbarreto9097]

Beautiful Virginia! Great song and great America!

[@utaemme7723]

the waltons showed me this lovely song. thanks a lot!!

[@julienielsen3746]

Me too. Love watching The Waltons. Just watched the one where Jason was playing this song and singing it with Grandma at the piano. This was after she had her stroke. They were trying to get the canary that Elizabeth and Jim Bob gave her, to sing. When the canary heard Grandma sing, it started to sing. The episode was "The Portrait".

[@alessiocialdella4369]

Respect from italy, I would love to live my retirement in virginia one day

[@reneem6839]

This brings tears to my eyes and I'm from NYC! When I was a kid and my parents and I drove through VA on the way either to NC or FL to visit relatives we would sing this song in the car. Of course we used to do it in a funny way.

[@KanadBasu]

I am from India and I really love your voice. I studied in Florida, during which, I got to hear some Southern songs. Thanks for your youtube channel.

[@rogerwilson9361]

The best song of Tennessee is Rocky Top.

[@jeffersondiuguid9844]

Go Gators

[@jeffersondiuguid9844]

@@rogerwilson9361 or anything else

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

I hope that you visit the USA once again.

[@frankrobinson6841]

I love Indian people my father worked their and he always told me what nice people they are And l found the same God bless you

[@dantutt8041]

My gg grandfather lived most of his life in Oklahoma, but came from Virginia. He died a few years before my birth, but relatives say he had an old wind up Motorola and he would cry like a baby when he put this song on.

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

Very touching....

[@daver8521]

What a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song!

[@BorninVirginia]

I may not always like the direction the state is going, but I love this state and don't think I will ever leave.

[@jasnahadzic987]

Great song and beautiful arrangement. I enjoyed very much. Thank you

[@linwoodcollins5715]

This is a beautiful song but me being a Virginian and a black man I also see the sadness in the song. This is a free black man from the 19th century, singing about how wants to go back to Virginia where he would be a slave but I do understand in a way. Sometimes all we can do is revert back to what we know and what we are use to. Change is hard and sometimes it is easier to go back where you fit in.

[@frankrobinson6841]

Makes me cry this song

[@frankrobinson6841]

Most of them plantion owners would have looked after their Workers and this song is properly true of a lot of workers they were Not all coloured God bless you anyway

[@genelehman7942]

Dear Linwood, it is not hard for an old man of 85 years to relate to the tenor of your message. I truly believe that it came from your heart. The whole issue of what took place with slavery is certainly a dark chapter in the history of this great land. One wonders how much difference it could’ve been if people of all races could simply have been assimilated into the family of Americans each of them contributing according to the best of their ability. There always have been and always will be inequalities between men and women of course. As one looks at the entire picture, the only place where all men are equal is at the foot of the cross and the brink of the grave. May God give our nation the ability to weather the current storm and to live together in peace and harmony regardless of nationality or skin color.

[@alexandercove1194]

From what I hear in this song this man has already made plans to live in the Dismal Swamp once he's home from being in the north....it must have been the civil war which pushed him to go but once there he wanted to go home..

[@liambutler9427]

I didn't even know if he's necessarily saying he wants to go back to being a slave so much as missing his home

[@Sky-pg6xy]

Your version of this song is so great, Tom, they made it the official version.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank Sky!

[@LucasBarbosa-xe3qh]

Love this song greetings from Brazil ^^

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Greetings to you - Lucas

[@LucasBarbosa-xe3qh]

^^

[@dogwoodhillbilly]

There is no place I love more sincerely than my ol' Virginny.

[@americaforever4075]

Virginia isnt close to being southern anymore. The urbanization and industrialization has destroyed southern culture in Virginia

[@dogwoodhillbilly]

America Forever The heck it isn't, we are more southern than North Carolina.

[@americaforever4075]

LMAO where do you live? In northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions its closer in culture to New York and New Jersey than North Carolina. This is because the Virginia is so far from the deep south most people in Hampton Roads and Northern VA were originally born out of state. The rest of VA is pretty southern though

[@dogwoodhillbilly]

America Forever No, I live in southwest Virginia.

[@americaforever4075]

That makes sense Northern VA and southwest VA are two completely diffrent worlds

[@CrayfishYAY]

I've never set foot in Virginia & (as far as I know) have precisely 0 ancestors from there. But yet this song makes me feel like I belong there.

[@mannyfox8089]

you do belong here :)

[@KoolSpool]

Everyone belongs here in Virginia! *salutes*

[@Maisie1969]

The country is so beautiful. This is a beautiful song. I feel what this song says about Idaho.

[@jessestewart2927]

Canada is my home but there's no place on earth more beautiful than Virginia USA.

[@melvinwalsh3567]

I agree I love the blue ridge mountains

[@bubbalong7646]

Nice of you to say that as beautiful as Canada is. I've lived in Virginia all my life except for military and other service. Mostly in the Piedmont and Tidewater. We sang this song in school but now they don't because of political reasons. (I'm 76.)

[@silasnewsome5329]

I'm so glad someone else understands.

[@northwestprof60]

I agree. The hills that masquerade as mountains, the humidity, the vultures that are everywhere, the black snakes. Yes. Far more beautiful than Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colorado. Right. I think the whole state has two natural lakes. Two.

[@autokrator_]

@@northwestprof60 Have you ever even been to Virginia before?

[@ravenvane2227]

I'm from West Virginia but this is one of the best state songs imo, even though it's retired.

[@dvrmte]

"Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" is an excellent song written in 1873. It's written from the perspective of an old freed slave who evidently moved North after he was freed. Evidently things weren't so good for him up there and he longs to be carried back to Virginny where the cotton, corn, and taters grow, to live his last days. He misses his old massa and missus and hoped to meet with them in heaven.

[@kobra3110]

I can only imagine how beautiful it is

[@ColonizerChan]

Idc what Richmond decrees, this is a song of a true Virginian for Virginia. Only wish the artist could have been better treated.

[@damianjackson7437]

What happened to the artist?

[@frankrobinson6841]

Yes what happened to artist

[@silasnewsome5329]

​@@damianjackson7437 he was a slave. But a true Virginian, regardless of status. It's strange that he ended up writing what is undoubtedly the most beautiful song of our home, despite his circumstances.

[@katperson7332]

@@silasnewsome5329Wonderful song indeed. Such a pity Tom Roush is no longer with us. His renditions of so many old American songs were incomparable. Regards from Scotland

[@scienz]

James Bland wasn't a slave. He actually lived a life of fame and riches until minstrel shows went out of style and he died broke

[@Sid_music]

What an evocative song! Amazing rendition!

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

Great job on this one Tom. My folks were from Virginia before moving down to east Tennessee right before the Civil War.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, again Maynard!!!

[@robertbertagna1672]

great song from old dixie thank you sah.

[@LionessDeWinter]

Beautiful song, and a tremendous voice. My father's side of the family is in Virginia. I'm going back in two days for a visit, and I can't wait!

[@agoogleuser4443]

I'm from NC, but I like VA better. It's cooler and has a bit less humidity (unless you're at the coast). The Blue Ridge Parkway is the best! Many fond memories of going up there with my grandparents when I was a kid every fall.

[@lumina_]

I was born near the coast lol

[@KoolSpool]

You sir, have single handedly make me like NC more.

[@nizzlenotes3892]

I was born a Californian but I'm so glad to say that I'm moving to Virginia for college. I don't intend to leave when I'm finished either. Can't wait to finally be free.

[@nizzlenotes3892]

WarrenKT I’m not afraid. I survived 18 years here, I can deal with a couple blues in Richmond.

[@Kodachi112]

Even so, Virginia Beach is a nice place to be~

[@ColonizerChan]

Mad Dog Avraham This is the sad honest truth. Kinda wish the capital was in Philly instead of here.

[@galaxies101]

@@ColonizerChan Wouldn't change for Maryland tho. lol

[@dogwoodhillbilly]

We are happy to have you.

[@bluedevil3765]

Beautiful rendition! Thank you!

[@Talent-ke3wq]

Carry me back to old Virginny There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow There's where the birds warble sweet in the spring-time There's where the old darkey's heart am long'd to go There's where I labored so hard for old Massa Day after day in the field of yellow corn No place on earth do I love more sincerely than old Virginny the state where I was born Carry me back to old Virginny There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow There's where the birds warble sweet in the spring-time There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go （interlude） Carry me back to old Virginny There let me live till I wither and decay Long by the old Dismal Swamp have I wandered There's where this old darkey's life will pass away Massa and missis have long gone before me Soon we will meet on that bright and golden shore There we'll be happy and free from all sorrow There's where we'll meet and we'll never part no more Carry me back to old Virginny There's where the cotton and the corn and tatoes grow There's where the birds warble sweet in the spring-time There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go

[@MyKonaRC]

You're great at what you do man! Yeee Haw! Oh Suanna, we blast this song in the summer time!

[@jakobm87]

R.I.P. James "Jimmy" Alan Bland (1854-1911), the Prince of Negro Songwriters. The fact that this is no longer the state anthem of Virginia is truly a musical disgrace. By the way, you did a masterful job covering this classic tune! Keep up the great work, Tom!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Jakob!!!!

[@Homesick4Heaven]

Isn’t that the truth. I was preparing to do a state study with my son and am outraged that they changed the song. He will learn both.

[@H.T.2forever]

A "musical disgrace?", "an outrage?" C'mon people, let's get real now ... A beautiful sounding melody aside, you can't honestly expect any modern government today to support keeping a state song about a black man longing to return to the horrible institution of slavery. With lyrics glorifying "slaving for ole' Massa", and racist epithets of "darkie." It's just no longer possible for a government to openly do in today's hypersensitive social and politically correct climate.

[@lukeporras1288]

@@H.T.2forever The fact that you think this song glorifies slavery means you entirely misunderstand its meaning

[@H.T.2forever]

@@lukeporras1288 ; Regardless of my personal feelings about the song. The point I was making at the time is that quite obviously no modern government in the current sensitive social and political climate of today's world. Can openly support a state song with lyrics about a subservient black man longing to return to what he feels were wonderful days of slaving for a "Massa", and referring to himself as a "Darkie." That's just totally unacceptable language today no matter how beautiful the melody is. And people posting on this comment list angry at the government of Virginia's removal of this as the official state song are being hopelessly unrealistic. As no public official today (in his right mind) would or should openly endorse such lyrics as appropriate for an official state song.

[@daemoonkim7092]

50년 전 중학생 시절에 배웠던 노래입니다. 지금도 사랑하며 즐겨 듣고 부르는 노래입니다.It was a song I learned in my junior high school years 50 years ago. It is a song that I love to hear and sing now.

[@1NF3RN0_23]

Such a beautiful song thanks u so much tom makes me even more proud of my home state

[@bonannylagasse8999]

Beautiful.

[@hollyolson8048]

wow I'm blown away with this beautiful video and never heard this song before but 💘 it.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Holly!

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

I love listening to Great songs like is and I love it

[@frankrobinson6841]

Good for you john try carry me back to old virginy

[@jirohayashi8500]

No place on earth do I love more sincerely・・・this phase brought me tears.

[@frankrobinson6841]

You ate a good soul

[@frglaf4187]

It’s April 3, 2023. The birds are warbling sweet in the springtime on my farm in the low Piedmont.

[@gbgoscar7837]

My favorite song

[@edwardyoung8585]

I love this song and I'm not even a Virginian. Something's wrong with me.

[@ladycookie1364]

Edward Young The same!, I'm not even American...

[@mamawbarb7909]

Mamaw barb I live not that far and I've not visited Virginia, I was raised in the Appalachian mountains grew up poor and rough ,I love looking at photos and reading of places ,it's almost like being there .

[@determineddylan8793]

Edward Young I live in New York and only been in Virginia once in my life.

[@rosavelinda9389]

It's okay I live in the northern east of Virgina you can like the song even though you don't live there my friend is from Colorado and she loves this song

[@frankrobinson6841]

I always loved this song from When l was a young boy its So sad

[@hamedsoltandehghan7915]

I'm a beginner guitar student and I saw this song in a book I'm working with, alfred's basic guitar method, the name was so catchy and I looked it up and ended up here. Not a virginian nor an American nor anywhere near the continent, but loved how smooth it was, and maybe sad a little?!

[@frankrobinson6841]

Very moving song l loved it Since l was a boy

[@jaikrish9319]

so beautiful dong i love it

[@lalaland962]

Wow, I haven't heard that song since I was a kid! This is great!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

T^hank you, Lala

[@KeithCindyPanama]

Thank you for sharing this history of .James Bland. This History needs to protected and preserved by all generations even if it’s offensive.

[@logankennedy609]

From West-ern Virginia and if y’all are down for it I’d be ok with losing statehood and just being the Northwestern region of Virginia!

[@ColonizerChan]

Logan Kennedy West VA is beautiful. I’d gladly bring y’all back and give a few counties to Maryland (pretty much the few that are next to dc)

[@logankennedy609]

Thanks, and I'm not surprised because your username checks out lol

[@nathanielgutshall6975]

Where you live is beautiful some day come to central Virginia

[@hoongtetyong]

May The Souls Of The Faithful Departed, Through The Mercy Of God, R.I.P. Amen

[@minkantzaw5708]

How wonderful is the song

[@va4lifee]

This song is soooooooooooooooo good! I live in MD but I love VA MUCH more. I love your soft soothing voice! This is also my favorite song now (my other favorite song is "Our Great Virginia") and the sentence that started with "No place on Earth do I love more sincerely" totally melted my heart.♥♥♥

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Cutie

[@Scoutty59]

This song brings such a sadness.

[@frankrobinson6841]

Its is sad but nice

[@terrypicker1]

Great job Tom👍😀

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thanks, Rick!

[@richysmith5382]

This song hits the heart

[@natalya6091]

Dear Tom, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Many thanks for your lovely singing!Love from Moscow.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Счастливого вам Рождества и очень счастливой жизни.

[@natalya6091]

@@MusicOfTomRoush Спасибо большое!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

@@natalya6091 Отправьте свое фото по электронной почте. Хотелось бы увидеть, с кем разговариваю. [e-mail]

[@gregoriobispocampos5953]

Am I knowing a piece of history by this song, that is a great song. I'm from Brasil

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Gregorio!

[@wallacebentley6655]

As a rock top vol from beautiful East Tennessee, I have to agree. From the Chesapeake to the Shenandoah, she's hard to beat.

[@natalya6091]

Dear Tom, Happy Thanksgiving!!!🇷🇺Thank you very much for this lovely song.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Natalya!!!

[@natalya6091]

@@MusicOfTomRoush My pleasure!

[@Sunshine-wm9dq]

I love this song it's fire

[@joshualeggett3077]

I'll always love my home state of Virginia, no matter what happens to it.

[@frankrobinson6841]

Good for you

[@garysmith3336]

Love this song I from ky but verjnna is beautiful

[@franserdtsieck3019]

This is such a lovely song, I love all the spirituals

[@loveyoureal7658]

All songs and words really True History yesterday today tomorrow and future will I see yesterday again 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 HROOOO HROOO

[@adrianapendleton]

How wonderful.

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you!!!

[@raquelkelly3079]

❤❤❤❤Love The Jerry Lewis version from film 'Scared Stiff'!!❤❤

[@nullastuislam]

美妙的歌曲，好听

[@MrJamieMurph4141969]

First time I’ve ever heard this-the Virginia state song; such a lovely song. I did not realize Tom Roush has been dead for three years now. I understand he died from something akin to a brain injury, was it?(and he was 66, rather young.) May he 🪦 RIP, he had the perfect voice for singing these 19th century folk songs. :)

[@ChonkyCats]

I never heard this before

[@rylanz7610]

I live in Virginia U.S.A

[@frankrobinson6841]

Good for you

[@johnbrannigan9323]

This song was loved by the Irish long ago, especially by the housewives.

[@haiderghani6066]

I love this song from PAKISTAN 🇵🇰

[@theviolinistinyourwalls]

This song makes me remember some of my most happy moments, I started to cry UwU

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Rachel, I'm glad to have brought out your emotions

[@helencampbell2248]

Awesome !👏

[@deancardoso2065]

Greeting from california

[@elenagray13]

I am working on a documentary on the Octagon House in Washington, DC (it was built in 1800) and I'm looking for period music for the film. May I use this song, please? It's lovely and fits the style well. With, of course, proper credits, if you'll allow. Thank you so much!

[@thesmithersy]

Sadly, Tom passed away in 2021.

[@syourke3]

Wonderful song, full of love and longing for home, makes me want to cry. How anyone could be offended by the sentiments expressed in this song is simply beyond me.

[@marisolbalderas9181]

Steven Yourke Exactly; it's a nostalgic song.

[@frankrobinson6841]

I feel exactly the same bueatifull Song cheers

[@frankrobinson6841]

Megan lying Merkel would

[@jimmywalker1568]

Well sung I like

[@helencampbell2248]

SWEET!!

[@virginiastatesman4672]

Love this song

[@aivarjeret3007]

I really like the songs you sang. I've been listening to them for years. "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" is one of my favorite songs. Thank You , Mr Roush. Greetings from Estonia! PS Resist and do not succumb to socialist ideology! God Bless The South !!!

[@MusicOfTomRoush]

Thank you, Aiver! I'm not responsible for the commercials in my recordings, particularly, Joseph Biden for President!

[@KoolSpool]

“Our Great Virginia” can’t beat this.

[@준혁전-q4b]

참 좋은 음악이군요 ,,,

[@탄핵의진실]

내고향으로 날 보내주!!!!!!

[@kentharrisgeorgia]

Bring back that song as the state song. Virginia has been corrupted by the lizard people of District of Corruption.

[@stanktail]

This song is not fair....it can make you nostalgic for the ole days and want to actually BE a slave. But now they made that illegal and life ain't easy on the west side.

[@syourke3]

Thanks Tom, for this and all the other beautiful old songs you post. Don't let the PC music police bother you. They're idiots, not worth your time.

[@codybeaudreau3026]

What miserable lives they must lead.

[@frankrobinson6841]

You are so right bueatifull song

[@frankrobinson6841]

I suppose there would a lot of Freed slaves loved there masters There would be lot of good Masters looked after there workers I hope

[@oldblackstock2499]

I'm not from Virginia. Never been there. But I am a Southerner. Fine singing. There's still a lot of good in America. But, there's also a lot that's not too good. About 18 years ago I began to learn the truth of Southern history. I wish that the South's secession had been successful. Will we ever have our independence ? You know, a new birth of freedom, of the people, by the people, for the people. Oh, but not for the Southern people. The Gettysburg address, what a load of political double talk. Secession is the only remedy for the overreaching corruption. This is a fine song.

[@allanhaggerty3343]

My Home no matter what

[@stanktail]

Round balers of hay did not enter production until 1947 when Allis-Chalmers iintroduced the Roto-baler. Still good scenes😅

[@小嶋剛毅-x9p]

I love old traditional America.

[@ralphfoster6254]

I dont like the term "masa" but I do love this song & this version is good also,thank you

[@jasobres]

I hear this a lot in old Looney Tunes shorts and even on Tiny Toons and Animaniacs. It was often used when someone was hitchhiking or traveling.