This traditional song lists the many criticisms people have long had of the people and places of Southern Illinois, and the reply is, “Yeah, I’d rather have this.” Southern Illinoisans use humor and “sass” to fight back against negative characterizations. -JP & SD
lyrics
You may sing of old Kentucky
Or your Indiana home
You may boast of old Missouri
Or the many lands you roam
But to me no land is dearer
When I dream of girls and boys
Than the country of my childhood
down in Southern Illinois
chorus:
Down in Southern Illinois x 2
And I guess I’d rather stay, sir
Down in Southern Illinois
You may call it Darkest Egypt
You may call us green as grass
Say we live on mush and bacon
Johnny cakes and apple sass (Apple sass? Yum yum!)
But I tell you all your talking
Don’t begin to equal joy
That I feel when in the country
Down in Southern Illinois
chorus
You may tell me of the grandeur
Of big cities, oh so fine,
You may say their life is better
Than this country life of mine
But I dream of hog and cattle
Country sights and lots of noise
And I guess I’d rather stay, sir
Down in Southern Illinois
chorus x 2
credits
from We Are for Egypt,
released November 8, 2022
Artist: Banjo Joe and Danielle
Lyrics sourced from oral tradition; found in Folk Songs and Singing Games of the Illinois Ozarks by David S. McIntosh, published by SIU Press
Melody, Arrangement, and Additional Lyrics by Joseph McCamish
Performed by:
Vocals and Banjo by Banjo Joe
Upright Bass and Background Vocals by Danielle Hartline
Additional Background Vocals by Jenny Pape,
Nate Graham, Kendall Bell, and Eva Joy
