This is a simple sentimental salon piece typical of late 19th-century American popular piano music. It is distinguished by its direct melodic appeal and straightforward harmonic structure.
Focus on maintaining a steady pulse while balancing the simple melody against the accompaniment.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
'Way Down South in Dixie is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 2.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 2 — meaning you can already play level 1–2 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of 'Way Down South in Dixie lasts about 3 minutes.
'Way Down South in Dixie is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bulls and Bears March and Two Step by Robert Morrison Stults, Believe Me, If All those Endearing Young Charms by Irish Folk Music, Blue Moon by Lee S. Roberts — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.