1.
Oh, Susanna
Oh, I came from Alabama with my banjo on my knee,
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2.
Oh, Susanna
Oh, I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee,
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There seem to be many versions for the famous song "Oh, susanna." Which one is commonly sang, #1 or #2?
What is the meaning of "I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee"?
1. I will come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.
2. I am on the way of coming now from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.
3. Or, what else ...?
#2 is more commonly sung, as it reflects the folksy hillbilly type of feel of the song. I have never heard #1 used. Ever.
As for the meaning,
#1 Nope.
#2 maybe, in the sense that the singer is on a trip, coming from Alabama.
#3 an ungrammatical rendering of "I have come" or "I came" indicating that the journey is over. This would be similar to
I been to the store for corn meal.
I done et dinner.
I swan, I dassn't say no to the master.
Steve is right. It means that the singer had been in Alabama (maybe was born there?), but now is wherever he/she is as he/she is singing.
The commonly sung version of the song "Oh, Susanna" is actually a combination of both #1 and #2. The original lyrics were "I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee," but over time, people started singing it as "I came from Alabama with my banjo on my knee" due to the rhythmic flow of the song.
As for the meaning of the line "I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee," it is a simple statement that the singer is from Alabama and currently has their banjo with them. It's a lighthearted introduction to set the scene for the rest of the song. It doesn't necessarily imply that they are in the process of coming at that moment (#2), but rather serves to establish the character and setting of the song.
So, in summary, the commonly sung version is a mix of #1 and #2, and the meaning of "I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee" is that the singer is from Alabama and currently has their banjo with them.