El-A-Noy

Way down upon the Wabash,
such a land was never known;
If Adam had crossed over it,
why this land he’d surely own.
He’d say ‘this is the garden
he’d lived in when he was a boy,'
And he’d straight-way pronounce it
Eden in the State of Illinois.
So move your fam’ly westward,
Bring all your girls and boys
And cross the Shawnee Ferry
To the State of Illinois
Why it was here that the queen of Sheba came,
With Solomon of old.
Wagon loads of spices,
pomegranates and fine gold;
Ah but when she saw this lovely land
Why her heart was filled with joy
Straightways said she, «I'd like to be
The queen of Illinois.»
So move your fam’lies westward,
Good health you will enjoy,
And rise to wealth and honor in
The State of Illinois
She’s bounded by the Wabash,
Mississippi and the Lakes.
There’s milksick in her rolling hills
And in her swamps there’s snakes
Ah but these are slight diversions
That take not from all of the joys
Of living in this garden spot,
Called the State of Illinois.
So move your fam’lies westward,
Bring all your girls and boys
And cross the Shawnee Ferry
To the State of Illinois
So move your fam’lies westward,
Good health you will enjoy,
And rise to wealth and honor in
The State of Illinois