Show NEVER SAW THE SUWANEE Writer of Popular Song Used Name Because Rhythmic Sound of It Appealed to Him I The song Old Folks at Home made the name of Swanee famous famous famous fa fa- but few people except those of Florida and Georgia connect the Swanee of the song with the Suwanee that flows from Crom the southern s swamps amps of Georgia down through the woodlands woodlands woodlands wood wood- lands of Florida to empty Into the Gulf Gul of Mexico Way down upon the Swanee river suggests va vaguely the South of the antebellum ante ante- an antebellum l. l bellum days das with Ith Its cotton plantations Its mansions ns and negro cabins None of these things are ure found along the Su Su- wanee Yet claim that the song was writt written n In honor of their forest forest for for- est stream and boatmen even point out a tree under tinder which Stephen Fos Fos- i os- os ter Is supposed to have penned the memorable lines Reports less picturesque picturesque pic pIc- hut but lU more re generally accepted say MY that Foster never saw Suwanee river but that he used the name because because because be be- cause of the rhythmic sound dropping the u to pei perfect feet the meter While the Suwanee river may not be what Its name suggests to most of ofus ofus us us It Is la a beautiful stream flowing through h a tropical semi-tropical country where oaks live and cypresses are mirrored In Its clear depths Heavy forests of cedar also grow In Its valley but these have hae been reduced In recent years as ns the wood Is In great demand for pencIl pencil pen pen- cil ill making The Suwanee figured largely In early American history for It was a n favorite haunt of f the Indians and many battles with the red men were fought In 10 Its valleys g The name SU Suwanee ance has hus an Indian sound but It Is said to be he a n corruption corruption corruption tion of San Juan Juan Juan-a a name given the river by early Spanish explorers |