Sleepy Time Down South

Louis Armstrong

About Sleepy Time Down South

"When It's Sleepy Time Down South", also known as "Sleepy Time Down South", is a 1931 jazz song written by Clarence Muse, Leon René and Otis René. It was sung in the movie Safe in Hell by Nina Mae McKinney, and became the signature song of Louis Armstrong, who recorded it almost a hundred times during his career. The song is now considered a jazz standard. Al Hirt released a version on his 1963 album, Our Man in New Orleans, and Harry James released a version on his 1972 album Mr. Trumpet (Longines Symphonette Society SYS 5459/LS 217C/LS 217U). A British cover version was released in 1932 by Bob and Alf Pearson. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1975 for his album A Southern Memoir. The lyrics concern the Great Migration in the United States, the movement of African Americans from the South to cities in the North, with the singer talking about the "dear old Southland... where I belong", and contain many racial stereotypes. Armstrong's popularity among African-American audiences dropped because of the song, but at the same time it helped the trumpeter to make his fan base broader. There is a 1942 film short of the song where Armstrong and others played slaves and farm workers. more »

Year:: 1960
: 2:39
: 130 Views

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Homesick tired All alone in a big city 
Why should ev'rybody pity me,
Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin', 
they dance till break of day
Dear Old Southland with it's dreamy songs 
Takes me back there where I belong 
How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
When It's Sleepy Time Down South

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Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. more »

15 fans

Genre »

Jazz

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Written by: CLARENCE MUSE, LEON RENE, OTIS RENE

Lyrics © OTIS RENE PUBLICATIONS, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

10 facts about this song

Historical Background The song "Sleepy Time Down South" is highly linked with jazz musician Louis Armstrong, who popularized it during the early 20th century.
Signature Song Armstrong made "Sleepy Time Down South" his theme song and would often perform it as the opening number at his live shows.
Original Creation Despite its strong association with Armstrong, the song was actually written by Clarence Muse, Leon René, and Otis René and originally published in 1931.
Social Controversy "Sleepy Time Down South" has courted controversy due to its lyrics featuring romanticized depictions of the American South during the era of slavery.
Second Recording Louis Armstrong recorded the song for the second time in 1952 for Decca Records after his original 1931 Okeh recording went out of print.
Album Playback This song is the first track on the album "Louis Armstrong: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings."
Armstrong's Version Armstrong significantly modified the melody of the song, making it distinctly his own.
Last Performance Armstrong performed his last public trumpet notes playing along to this song in Britain in 1971, shortly before his death.
Use in Films "Sleepy Time Down South" has been used in several films, including the 1932 movie "Loveless Love" where it was performed by Armstrong himself.
Legacy Despite its original controversy, this song today is viewed as a significant piece of Armstrong's musical legacy and a symbol of his contributions to jazz music.

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