South
Humphrey Lyttelton and His Band Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of the song "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" by Humphrey Lyttelton are about a person who is feeling homesick and tired while being alone in a big city. The singer questions why others should pity him or her but still feels alone in the bustling city. The song's narrator then watches the folks around him singing and dancing as nighttime falls, and they continue until the break of day. Despite being in the city, the singer yearns for the peaceful Southland with its dreamy songs which take him or her back to where they belong. The singer expresses his or her desire to return to the Southland and be in mammy's arms.
Lyttelton's song highlights the feelings of loneliness that people living in a big city can experience, especially if they are far away from where they call home. The song also celebrates the use of song and dance as a way to foster community and connect people. The song's use of "dreamy songs" also evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, where life was slower and more relaxing.
Line by Line Meaning
Homesick tired All alone in a big city
Feeling melancholic, fatigued, and isolated in a bustling urban space
Why should ev'rybody pity me
Questioning the rationale behind others feeling sorry for one's current state
Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin',
As dusk sets in, people are enjoying music and singing
they dance till break of day
They continue to dance freely until dawn
Dear Old Southland with it's dreamy songs
The southern region of the country that has music that evokes nostalgia
Takes me back there where I belong
Reminding oneself of where they feel most comfortable and content
How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
Expressing the longing to be embraced by a maternal figure
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
The time of night when people in the southern states retire to bed
Lyrics © OTIS RENE PUBLICATIONS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Clarence Muse, Leon Rene, Otis Rene
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brucer9572
Bravo! Bravo!
What I know about England could fit in a thimble. I'm a Southern Californian. And like most of us here, I don't have to know anything beyond my immediate horizon.
I didn't know that he served in the British army, but I guess that shouldn't be a surprise. I learned that from this video.
The pictures and the cartoons that accompany this piece are delightful.
Anyhow, this was all before he devolved into that Dirty Old Man as the host of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. And I not only enjoy that show, but also I admire him greatly ( but then, I'm not well).
And please give my best regards to Samantha!
@christopherwalls1041
Humphrey Lyttelton introduced me to jazz aged 13 via my radio. 12 years later I played piano with him for all of 3 minutes. Trad. jazz makes me happy .
@dafyddmanton2981
Humph - a legend. Both musically but comedically, one of the absolute greatest.
@rropo1
Artistic,witty legendary man - raconteur,broadcaster and musician! Thank you Humph - you are much missed in my life!
@renard801
Thanks for posting. Dear old Humph, a legend, sorely missed.
@briankatejohnstone1884
Amazing life on the "wrong side of the tracks" for an Eaton boy.
Shows you the magnetic power of sincerely felt and played music -especially in Jazz.
@anonUK
"Eton".
Eaton is a village near Congleton (between Stoke and Manchester).
@lesterwyoung
Beautifully relaxed swing!
@brucer9572
Bravo! Bravo!
What I know about England could fit in a thimble. I'm a Southern Californian. And like most of us here, I don't have to know anything beyond my immediate horizon.
I didn't know that he served in the British army, but I guess that shouldn't be a surprise. I learned that from this video.
The pictures and the cartoons that accompany this piece are delightful.
Anyhow, this was all before he devolved into that Dirty Old Man as the host of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. And I not only enjoy that show, but also I admire him greatly ( but then, I'm not well).
And please give my best regards to Samantha!
@AustinCasey
Thanks for sharing, Michael. This is fantastic!
@colinball9032
Humph was the Master, I first heard those Parlophones at school in about 1951, I still listen to them on CD