(I Wish I Was In) Dixie

· by Daniel Decatur Emmett

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(I Wish I Was In) Dixie

Daniel Decatur Emmett110 BPM

Lyrics

I (C)wish I was in the land of cot ton; (F)old times there are not for got ten.

Look a (C)way, look a way, look a (G7)way, Dix ie (C)Land.

In Dix ie Land where I was born in he (F)ear ly on as one frost y morn in’ look a (C)way, look a way, look a (G7)way, Dix ie (C)Land.

Then I wish I was in (F)Dix ie, hoo (D)ray!

Hoo (G7)ray!

In (C)Dix ie Land I’ll (F)take my stand, to (C)live and die in (G7)Dix ie.

A (C)way, a (G7)way, a (C)way down south in (G7)Dix (C)ie.

A way, a (G7)way, a (C)way down south in (G7)Dix (C)ie!

Old (C)Mis sus mar ry the Will the weav er; (F)Wil liam was a gay de ceiv er.

Look a (C)way, look a way, look a (G7)way, Dix ie (C)Land.

But when he put his arm a round her, he (F)smiled as fierce as a for ty pound er, look a (C)way, look a way, look a (G7)way, Dix ie (C)Land.

Then I wish I was in (F)Dix ie, hoo (D)ray!

Hoo (G7)ray!

In (C)Dix ie Land I’ll (F)take my stand, to (C)live and die in (G7)Dix ie.

A (C)way, a (G7)way, a (C)way down south in (G7)Dix (C)ie.

A way, a (G7)way, a (C)way down south in (G7)Dix (C)ie!

Old (G7)Dix (C)ie!

(I Wish I Was In) Dixie by Daniel Decatur Emmett — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “(I Wish I Was In) Dixie” by Daniel Decatur Emmett in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 160 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "(I Wish I Was In) Dixie" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "(I Wish I Was In) Dixie"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
What other Daniel Decatur Emmett songs work for kids?: Try "(I Wish I Was In) Dixie", "The Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn)". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.