(Composed by Paul Dresser; sung in Minnesota by M. C. Dean)

Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields,
In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool.
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood,
Where I first received my lessons, Nature’s school.
But one thing there is missing from the picture,
Without her face it seems so incomplete.
I long to see my mother in the doorway,
As she stood there years ago her boy to greet.

The sheet music cover of “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”, words and music by Paul Dresser. Publisher by Howley, Haviland & Co. Cover features singer Bessie Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chorus:
Oh, the moonlight’s fair tonight along the Wabash,
From the fields there comes the breath of new-mown hay.
Through the sycamores the candle lights are gleaming
On the banks of the Wabash far away.

Many years have passed since I strolled by the river,
Arm in arm, with sweetheart Mary by my side.
It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her,
It was there I begged of her to be my bride.
Long years have passed since I strolled through the churchyard,
She’s sleeping there my angel Mary dear,
I loved her but she thought I didn’t mean it,
Still I’d give my future were she only here.