Civil War Music: Home, Sweet Home

John Howard Payne (1791-1852)

The original source of 鈥淗ome, Sweet Home鈥 was an opera known called Clari, or The Maid of Milan. The lyrics were written by John Howard Payne and set to music composed by Sir Henry Bishop (1786-1855).

鈥楳id pleasures and Palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble there鈥檚 no place like home!
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which seek through the world, is ne鈥檈r met with elsewhere.
Home! Home, sweet sweet Home!
There鈥檚 no place like Home! There鈥檚 no place like Home!

An Exile from Home, Splendour dazzles in vain!
Oh! Give me my lowly thatch鈥檇 Cottage again!
The Birds singing gaily that came at my call,
Give me them with the peace of mind dearer than all!
Home! Home, sweet sweet Home!
There鈥檚 no place like Home! There鈥檚 no place like Home!

To thee, I鈥檒l return overburdened with care,
The heart鈥檚 dearest solace will smile on me there.
No more from that cottage again will I roam,
Be it ever so humble, there鈥檚 no place like home.
Home! Home, sweet sweet Home!
There鈥檚 no place like Home! There鈥檚 no place like Home!

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