Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
(Victor 18976)
Recorded 10/31/1922 New York, New York.
Isabelle Patricola (vocalist : contralto)
Edward T. King (conductor)
Virginians (Musical group)
Ross Gorman (leader)
Walter Donaldson (composer)
The song was written and composed by Walter Donaldson. It was recorded by the Paul Specht Orchestra in 1922 on Columbia Records. Isabella Patricola, a talented violinist and contralto, also recorded the song with the Virginians, also in 1922.
"Away Down East in Maine" falls into the category of popular music, with influences from ragtime and jazz.
The term "Downeast" refers to the eastern part of Maine, a region historically associated with sailing and trade, as the prevailing winds made it easier to sail east from Boston.
While the song is primarily known as a popular tune, it reflects a sense of place and identity associated with the Maine coastline.
Since the original recording was in 1922, the song is likely in the public domain.
Isabella Patricola (June 19, 1888 – May 23, 1965), known professionally as Miss Patricola or simply Patricola, was an Italian-American vaudeville singer and entertainer popular in the late 1910s and 1920s.
Lyrics:
Early to bed, early to rise
That’s what I must do
I’m gonna head straight for my bed
When my supper’s thru
So when the dew starts falling
I’ll be in the hay
And when the birdies are calling
I’ll be on my merry way
Refrain
Can’t you picture me back in a little white shack
Away down East in Maine
Where a little white light will be burning each night
Till I wander back home again
How my heart’ll just dream by the little mill stream
At the end of every day
In the evening by the moonlight I love to stray
Can’t you picture my smile all the while
Surrounded by sunshine
Just imagine my folks when they see me
Coming their way, Say!
I’ll be packin’ my grip for a wonderful trip
On an old New England train
‘Cause it’s just as nice as Paradise
Away down East in Maine
How did I know I’d ever grow
Lonesome, sad, and blue
I realize I’m not so wise roaming like I do
Thinking ’bout fields of clover
Fields of waving corn
I’ll start a-dreaming all over
When the robin says “Good Morn”
Patter
Peter Peter, Punkin eater, me oh! my
If it ever comes to eatin’ punkin pie
Peter Punkin never had a thing on me
I eat pie in any old key
Wait’ll my train gets in Maine once again
Wait’ll they see me there
Fritters and corn, HOT corn every morn
There on the bill of fare
Say my heart’ll be led to the little homestead
Even tho’ it’s mighty plain
But a brand new roof, a coat of paint
Will make it look like what it ain’t
I mean that homestead old and quaint
Away down East in Maine
(Victor 18976)
Recorded 10/31/1922 New York, New York.
Isabelle Patricola (vocalist : contralto)
Edward T. King (conductor)
Virginians (Musical group)
Ross Gorman (leader)
Walter Donaldson (composer)
The song was written and composed by Walter Donaldson. It was recorded by the Paul Specht Orchestra in 1922 on Columbia Records. Isabella Patricola, a talented violinist and contralto, also recorded the song with the Virginians, also in 1922.
"Away Down East in Maine" falls into the category of popular music, with influences from ragtime and jazz.
The term "Downeast" refers to the eastern part of Maine, a region historically associated with sailing and trade, as the prevailing winds made it easier to sail east from Boston.
While the song is primarily known as a popular tune, it reflects a sense of place and identity associated with the Maine coastline.
Since the original recording was in 1922, the song is likely in the public domain.
Isabella Patricola (June 19, 1888 – May 23, 1965), known professionally as Miss Patricola or simply Patricola, was an Italian-American vaudeville singer and entertainer popular in the late 1910s and 1920s.
Lyrics:
Early to bed, early to rise
That’s what I must do
I’m gonna head straight for my bed
When my supper’s thru
So when the dew starts falling
I’ll be in the hay
And when the birdies are calling
I’ll be on my merry way
Refrain
Can’t you picture me back in a little white shack
Away down East in Maine
Where a little white light will be burning each night
Till I wander back home again
How my heart’ll just dream by the little mill stream
At the end of every day
In the evening by the moonlight I love to stray
Can’t you picture my smile all the while
Surrounded by sunshine
Just imagine my folks when they see me
Coming their way, Say!
I’ll be packin’ my grip for a wonderful trip
On an old New England train
‘Cause it’s just as nice as Paradise
Away down East in Maine
How did I know I’d ever grow
Lonesome, sad, and blue
I realize I’m not so wise roaming like I do
Thinking ’bout fields of clover
Fields of waving corn
I’ll start a-dreaming all over
When the robin says “Good Morn”
Patter
Peter Peter, Punkin eater, me oh! my
If it ever comes to eatin’ punkin pie
Peter Punkin never had a thing on me
I eat pie in any old key
Wait’ll my train gets in Maine once again
Wait’ll they see me there
Fritters and corn, HOT corn every morn
There on the bill of fare
Say my heart’ll be led to the little homestead
Even tho’ it’s mighty plain
But a brand new roof, a coat of paint
Will make it look like what it ain’t
I mean that homestead old and quaint
Away down East in Maine
