Lullaby of Broadway
Al Jolson & Bing Crosby Lyrics
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The lullaby of Broadway
The hip hooray and ballyhoo
The lullaby of Broadway
The rumble of a subway train
The rattle of the taxis
The daffodil who entertain
At Angelo's and Maxi's
It's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight until the dawn
Good night, baby
Good night, milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
Hey!
Come on along and you can listen to
A baby cry the lullaby of ole' Broadway
The jump and jivin' and the swingin' roo
The lullaby of Broadway
The band begins to jam a tune
And everyone goes crazy
You rock-a-bye your baby soon
The atmosphere gets hazy
Hush I'll buy you this and that,
You hear a daddy saying
And baby goes home to her flat
To sleep all day
Sleep tight, my baby
Get a lot of sleep as time goes by
Good night, my baby
Have a lot of fun in the night time
Get a lot of sleep in the day time
Good night, good night
Let's call it a day
Good night, good night, good night
Milkman's on his way
Good night, baby
Good night
Milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
Listen to the lullaby of ol' Broadway
The lyrics to Al Jolson's song "Lullaby of Broadway" paint a vivid scene of the bustling city that never sleeps. The song implores the listener to "come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway," which includes the sounds of the subway train, the taxis, and the entertainment at Angelo's and Maxi's. However, despite the chaos outside, when a "Broadway baby" says good night, it's early in the morning and "Manhattan babies don't sleep tight until the dawn." The lullaby serves as a reminder that even in the midst of the noise and constant movement of the city, there is a time for rest and rejuvenation.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the nightlife of Broadway. The band begins to play, people start to dance, and the atmosphere gets "hazy." Parents assure their children that they'll "buy [them] this and that," and the babies eventually go home to "sleep all day." The song ends with a final reminder to "sleep tight" and "let's call it a day."
One interesting interpretation of the song is that it serves as a commentary on the societal pressures of the time period. The idea of a "Manhattan baby" not sleeping until dawn suggests that individuals must constantly be on the move and productive to keep up with the demands of city life. However, the lullaby provides a moment of respite and suggests that rest and self-care are necessary for survival.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on along and listen to
Join me and pay attention to
The lullaby of Broadway
The soothing sounds of nighttime in the bustling Broadway streets
The hip hooray and ballyhoo
The lively celebration and excitement
The rumble of a subway train
The sound of a train passing underneath the city
The rattle of the taxis
The sound of taxis rushing down the streets
The daffodil who entertain
The entertainers who perform at Angelo's and Maxi's nightclubs
When a Broadway baby says good night
When someone who frequents the Broadway scene bids farewell
It's early in the morning
It's actually the start of a new day
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight until the dawn
People in Manhattan are known to stay up late having fun
Good night, baby
Sleep well, infant
Good night, milkman's on his way
The milkman is delivering soon and it's time to sleep
Sleep tight, baby
Get some rest, young one
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
Get some sleep, it's time to end the day
Hey!
An exclamation of excitement
Come on along and you can listen to
Join in and hear
A baby cry the lullaby of ole' Broadway
Hear the sound of a child crying amidst the nighttime sounds of Broadway
The jump and jivin' and the swingin' roo
The energetic dancing and lively atmosphere
The band begins to jam a tune
The musicians start playing a song
And everyone goes crazy
The excitement intensifies and people start to go wild
You rock-a-bye your baby soon
You soothe your child to sleep soon
The atmosphere gets hazy
The environment becomes more unclear or dreamlike
Hush I'll buy you this and that,
Quiet down, I'll buy you anything you want
You hear a daddy saying
A father is speaking to his child
And baby goes home to her flat
The child returns home to her apartment
To sleep all day
To rest for the whole day
Sleep tight, my baby
Get plenty of rest, my child
Get a lot of sleep as time goes by
Sleep more as time passes
Good night, my baby
Sleep well, my child
Have a lot of fun in the night time
Enjoy yourself during the nighttime activities
Get a lot of sleep in the day time
Rest plenty during the day
Good night, good night
Farewell
Let's call it a day
It's time to end this day
Milkman's on his way
The milkman will arrive soon
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Warren, Al Dubin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind