Louis Armstrong – When It's Sleepy Time Down South Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

When It’s Sleepy Time Down South Lyrics

[Verse 1: Louis Armstrong]
Now the pale moon's shining on the fields below
The folks are crooning soft and low
You needn't tell me, boy, because I know, yes
When it's sleepy time down south
Yes, the soft wind blowing through the pinewood trees
The folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls on her knees, yes
When it's sleepy time down south

[Verse 2]
Yes, steamboats on the river coming and going
Splashing the night away
You hear those banjos ringing and the folks are singing
And they dance 'til the break of day, yes
Dear old southland with his dreamy song
You take me back where I belong
Right in my mammy's arms
Yes, good evening everybody, good evening, hahahaha

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About

Genius Annotation

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 theme 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.

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