Home / Authors / Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster Quotes

Songwriter

Stephen Foster, known as the 'Father of American Music,' was an American composer born on July 4, 1826, and died on January 13, 1864. He is renowned for his extensive collection of popular songs that have had a profound impact on American music.

Filter quotes by topic

All Gone Songwriting Altered Answers Beautiful Behinds Black Body Calling Change

Famous Stephen Foster Quotes

“You may wonder, 'How can I leave it all behind if I am just coming back to it? How can I make a new beginning if I simply return to the old? The answer lies in the return. You will not come back to the 'same old thing. What you return to has changed because you have changed. Your perceptions will be altered. You will not incorporate into the same body, status, or world you left behind. The river has been flowing while you were gone. Now it does not look like the same river.”

“Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, starlight and dewdrop are waiting for thee.”

Love Dream Beautiful Waiting Thee Dreamer Starlight

Author:Stephen Foster

“I sought to reform minstrelsy among refined people by making words suitable to their taste, instead of the trashy and really offensive words which belong to some songs of that order. ... Some of my songs should be performed in a pathetic, not a comic style.”

People Should Song Order Style Taste Reform Comic Songwriting Offensive Pathetic Suitable Refined

Author:Stephen Foster

“Dear Sir: I will wish to establish my name as the best Ethiopian songwriter. But I am not encouraged in undertaking this as long as 'The Old Folks At Home' stares me in the face with another's name on it.”

Long Home Faces Names Wish Dear Folks Staring Songwriting Songwriters Undertakings

Author:Stephen Foster

“Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay, Gone are my friends from the cotton fields away, Gone from the earth to a better land I know, I hear their gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.”

Knows Heart Earth Young Black Voice Gone Land Fields My Heart Calling Gay My Friends Gentle Cotton Cotton Fields

Book:Stephen Foster & Co: Lyrics of America's First Great Popular Songs

Source: Stephen Foster & Co: Lyrics of America's First Great Popular Songs

About the Author

Born: July 4, 1826
Died: January 13, 1864
Known for: Songwriter
Quotes: 5

Books & Sources

Stephen Foster & Co: Lyrics of America's First Great Popular SongsRelated source material

Similar Authors

R.C. BannonBrowse related quotes
Andy WilkinsonBrowse related quotes
John PrineBrowse related quotes
Jeffrey SteeleBrowse related quotes
Frank HarteBrowse related quotes
Bin RamkeBrowse related quotes
Michael KosserBrowse related quotes
Tristen GaspadarekBrowse related quotes
Ann ReedBrowse related quotes
Rodney ClawsonBrowse related quotes