Annie Carter, contralto, sings on Berliner disc 577, April 1898.

"On The Banks Of The Wabash, Far Away" has words and music by Paul Dresser, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Dresser enjoyed great success on Tin Pan Alley, which was not an actual street but was the district of New York City were popular songs were published.

Dresser dedicated this song to 14-year-old Mary E. South of Terre Haute, whom Dresser had never met

This song is the state song of Indiana. I personally feel that it is most important for being an inspiration for a later song, "(Back Home Again in) Indiana," which became a standard for jazz musicians and others.

Dresser's sentimental song was first published in July 1897.

The song was adopted as the official state song on March 14, 1913, by the Indiana General Assembly. The state song is the oldest of Indiana's state emblems, being adopted four years before the flag.

Paul Dresser was the older brother of Hoosier writer Theodore Dreiser.

On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away

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 in 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!

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 thro' 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.

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

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