Pearl made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in Hello, Dolly! in 1968. Her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" hit the top ten in 1952.
She was born in Southampton County, Virginia, to Rev. Joseph & Ella Mae Bailey. In 1954, she took the role of Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones, and her rendition of "Beat Me That Rhythm on the Drum" is one of the highlights of the film. In 1959, she played the role of Maria in the film version of Porgy and Bess, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. Also that year she played the role of "Aunt Hagar" in the movie St. Louis Blues alongside Mahalia Jackson, Eartha Kitt, and Nat King Cole. During the 1970s she had her own television show, and she also provided voices for animations such as Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981).
Hit The Road To Dreamland
Pearl Bailey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time to hit the road to dreamland
You're mine baby
Dig you in the land of nod
Hold tight baby
We'll be swinging up in dreamland
All night baby
Where the little cherubs trot
You been a-blowing his top in the blue
Never saw the likes of you
Bye bye baby
Time to hit the road to dreamland
Don't cry baby
It was divine but the rooster has finally crowed
Time to hit the road
Look at that knocked out moon
He been a-blowing his top in the blue
Never saw the likes of you
Bye bye baby
Time to hit the road to dreamland
Don't cry baby
Well it was divine but the cuckoo has finally crowed
Time to hit the road Time to hit the road
Time to hit the road
The song "Hit the Road to Dreamland" by Pearl Bailey is a classic lullaby, encouraging a lover to hit the road to dreamland. The opening line of the song is an indication that it is time to go to sleep and start to dream. The singer assures her lover that they are hers, and they will be off to a land of dreams. She tells her lover to hold tight as they will be swinging up in Dreamland all night where the little cherubs trot. The sudden reference to the moon being knocked out and the blue sky is an indication of the night sky and the beauty of the dreaming landscape. The singer tells her lover not to cry as the experience was divine, but it is time to hit the road.
The lyrics are a comforting reminder of the beauty and serenity of the nighttime and the importance of restful sleep. The song's lullaby tone is reminiscent of a mother's love as she sings her child to sleep. The cherubs and the moon in the lyrics give the listener a cozy feeling like they are being tucked in and looked after. The song is the perfect soundtrack to encourage sweet dreams and restful sleep.
Line by Line Meaning
Bye bye baby
Farewell, my dear
Time to hit the road to dreamland
It's time for us to go to sleep and enter the world of dreams.
You're mine baby
You belong to me.
Dig you in the land of nod
I want you to have a good sleep and be lost in sweet dreams.
Hold tight baby
Stay close to me.
We'll be swinging up in dreamland
We will be having a wonderful and fun time in our dreams.
All night baby
We will be dreaming all night long.
Where the little cherubs trot
Our dreams will be filled with innocent and lovely things.
Well look at that knocked out moon
The moon appears to be sleeping too.
You been a-blowing his top in the blue
You have been shining so bright that even the moon is amazed.
Never saw the likes of you
I have never seen anybody like you before.
Don't cry baby
There's no need to be upset.
It was divine but the rooster has finally crowed
Our dream was wonderful, but it's time to wake up because morning has arrived.
Time to hit the road
It's time for us to say goodbye to our dreams and start our day.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dexter Riley
Just wonderful!