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Louis Armstrong And His Band Lyrics


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Homesick tired All alone in a big city
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




Overall Meaning

"When It's Sleepy Time Down South" by Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra is a song about being homesick and feeling isolated in a big city. The lyrics are melancholic as the singer expresses his longing to go back to the South, where he believes he belongs. The mention of the Old Southland with its dreamy songs is a reflection of the nostalgia and romanticization of the past that many people experience when they are homesick. The singer goes on to express his desire to be in his mother's arms, indicating that he is yearning for the comfort and safety of home. The use of the phrase "when it's sleepy time" further emphasizes the peaceful and serene nature of the South that he is yearning for.


The lyrics of this song were written by Leon Rene, while the music was composed by Otis Rene and Clarence Muse. The song was originally written for the film "Under a Texas Moon" in 1930, but it was made popular by Louis Armstrong in 1931. The song became one of Armstrong's most loved pieces and is often considered his signature song. The song became a staple of Armstrong's performances, and he would often use it as a closing number for his shows. "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" was also used as a theme song for Armstrong's radio broadcasts in the 1930s.


Line by Line Meaning

Homesick tired All alone in a big city
Feeling a deep sense of longing and exhaustion while being physically isolated in a bustling urban area.


Why should ev'rybody pity me
Questioning why others would feel sorry for oneself.


Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin', they dance till break of day
As night descends, people are happily singing and dancing, enjoying life until the early morning hours.


Dear Old Southland with its dreamy songs
Fondly remembering the Southern region of the United States, known for its captivating music.


Takes me back there where I belong
Transporting oneself mentally to a place where one feels a sense of belonging.


How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
Expressing a deep desire to be held and comforted by one's mother.


When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Referring to a time of day when the pace of life in the Southern region slows down, allowing for relaxation and peacefulness.




Lyrics ยฉ SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: CLARENCE MUSE, LEON RENE, OTIS RENE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@user-ip9yu7lp1q

[Spoken]
You know folks, I happened to pass one of them good old camp meetin's the other day, and run into a gang of them good old soul brothers. And them cats all come up on the stage, ran to sing and blow one. And we gettin' together now and I'm gonna lead off one, yeah

[Sung]
Now, when them saints
(Well, when the saints)
Go marchin' in
(Go marching in)
When the saints go a-marchin' in
(Saints go marching in)
Oh, to be in that number, number yeah
Brother Billy and brother Tyree, they're gonna get together there

[Instrumental]

Brother ? and his banjo

You know Marty Napoleon and brother Catlett gon' back him up

Good deal there

Brother Catlett backin' him up
Ah, see brother Danny Barcelona coming in with that (fake?)
Watch this part here comin' up

Oh, when the saints
(Oh, when the saints)
Marching in
(Marching in)
When the saints go marchin' in
(Saints go marchin' in)
Oh, long to be in that number, yeah
WHen the saints go marching in



All comments from YouTube:

@brucenicholls854

When I was a kid ,I'd see something like this and not be into it,but now I realize how truly fantastic Louis Armstrong and these players are.

@AnthonyBlamthony

The older you get the wiser you get

@vutusputus2784

Same here,I did the same with Dean Martin frank Sinatra now I love it ๐Ÿ‘

@vutusputus2784

@Aria Gold Payne hurt,I hung my head,a boy named sue,ain't no grave can keep my body down.but I like them all as well.

@vutusputus2784

@Aria Gold Payne Dean Martin and frank Sinatra the medley is pretty nice also " and her hair has some kind of curl" ๐Ÿ˜€

@vutusputus2784

@Aria Gold Payne I'm Cesar greetings from San Bernardino ๐Ÿ™ƒ

5 More Replies...

@troyannbladsacker1811

I'm born and raised in New Orleans. I'm 67. I grew up with this amazing music especially around Mardi Gras. I feel very blessed.

@jonathanraspaut15

U are lucky

@jonathanraspaut15

Superbe sir

@jonathanraspaut15

U lmeanu like ir

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