Born in Waveland, Mississippi, he moved to New Orleans in his youth, and studied clarinet with Lorenzo Tio. He played with the bands of Frankie Duson, Kid Ory, and King Oliver. Dodds went to Chicago, played with Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, with which he first recorded in 1923. After break up of Oliver's band in 1924, Dodds replaced Alcide Nunez as the house clarinetist and bandleader of Kelly's Stables. He recorded with numerous small groups in Chicago, most notably Louis Armstrong's Hot 5 and Hot 7, and Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers.
Dodds was noted for his professionalism and virtuosity as a musician, and his heartfelt heavily blues laden style. He was an important influence on later clarinetists, notably Benny Goodman.
Dodds did not record for most of the 1930s, affected by ill health. He died in Chicago in 1940.
Sweet Lorraine
Johnny Dodds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
Everything is set, skies are blue,
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
For it's in my sweeties smile,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
The lyrics of Johnny Dodds’s Sweet Lorraine embody the joy, excitement, and anticipation that comes with finding true love and being accepted in return. Dodds expresses his disbelief that his love has agreed to marry him and his eagerness to tie the knot. He paints a picture of how happiness has replaced the gloom in his life, explaining that he doesn't even miss the sun now that he has his sweetheart’s smile to brighten his days.
He notes that he feels like the luckiest man alive, as he will have the privilege of walking his lady down the aisle. His prayers each night are that her heart never gets stolen away from him. The song exudes optimism and positivity, as the singer looks forward to a blissful union with his love.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is set, skies are blue,
All preparations have been made, and the circumstances are just right.
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
Despite having doubts, it is actually happening.
I'll give you just one guess,
I'll let you guess what the recent major development in my life is.
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
My significant other has agreed to marry me.
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
Anticipating the near future when something significant will happen.
When the bells will chime merrily,
When the wedding bells will ring joyfully as the couple is wed.
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
My happiness is not dependent on external factors; I find joy in my partner's smile even on gloomy days.
For it's in my sweeties smile,
My partner's smile brightens my day no matter what.
Just think that I'm the lucky one
I am incredibly fortunate to have found such a wonderful partner.
Who will lend her down the aisle
I will have the honor of walking my future wife down the aisle on our wedding day.
Each night I pray
I regularly express my hopes and wishes for our relationship.
That nobody steals her heart away,
I hope that my partner's heart will remain devoted to me alone.
Just can't wait until that happy day,
I am eagerly anticipating our wedding day.
When I marry sweet Lorraine
The day when I will become the husband of my beloved partner, Lorraine.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@simonwyld5430
The well known standard, Sweet Lorraine recorded by Jimmy Noone and later by Nat King Cole, is by Mitchell Parish and Cliff Burwell. This is ot it, however, it's a great tune and thank you for introducing it to me.
@johnmallinak8777
Thanks for posting this. I had and sold this 78 long ago.
@corrie1213
Thank you for sharing this gem.
@luismantaras6460
This is not the 1929 "Sweet Lorraine" tune that became a jazz and pop standard for years to come as my ears could tell. Anyhow those contrapuntal Jazz sounds are greatful to my ears, specially Dodds tightened clarinet embouchure, he was unique making a sound for a clarinet in the whole twenties!
@bobboscarato1313
It has a weird intro but it's Sweet Loraine alright!
@Remi-B-Goode
that doesnt sound like the Sweet Lorraine that I know!