WHEN IT'S SLEEPY TIME DOWN SOUTH
(Leon Rene / Otis Rene / Clarence Muse 1929)

Recorded by -
The Dixie Serenaders 1929
Louis Armstrong 1931/'32/'41/'55
Paul Whiteman (vocal - Mildred Bailey) 1931
Paul Robeson 1931
Helen Rowling w Phil Spitalny 1931
The Boswell Sisters 1932
Benny Goodman 1930's
Connee Boswell 1940
The New Orleans Feetwarmers 1941
Mel Torme 1947
Frankie Laine 1951
Dean Martin 1954
Billie Holiday 1959
Teresa Brewer 1959/'91
Ted Heath 1959
Bing Crosby 1975
Betty Carter 1992


as recorded by Louis Armstrong (vocal & trumpet)
with Trummy Young (trombone) Barney Bigard (clarinet)
Billy Kyle (piano) Barrett Deems (drums)
and Orchestra (live)
January 1955 Hollywood


Now the pale moon's shinin' on the fields below,
The folks are crooning soft and low,
You needn't tell me, boy, because I  know, yeah!
When it's sleepy time down south, (scat).

Soft wind blowin' through the pinewood trees,
The folks down there live a life of ease,
When whole family falls on their knees
When it's sleepy time down south, (scat).

Steamboats up the river comin' and goin', (scat)
Splashin' the night away, (scat).
You hear those banjos ringin',
All the people all singing,
They dance till the break of day.

Dear old Southland with this dreamy song,
Take me back where I belong
Right in my Mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south.

Dear old Southland with it's dreamy song (scat),
Take me back where I belong
Right in my Mammy's arm
When it's sleepy time, sleepy time down south.
Yes, Lord.






(Transcribed by Peter Akers - March 2018)