Ruth was born in David City, Nebraska. Her mother died when she was 5, and her father left her with her grandparents, George and Hannah Etting, who owned a roller mill. Her father remarried and moved away, seldom visiting his daughter. When she was 17 she moved to Chicago to attend art school, and got a job designing costumes at a night club. One night the tenor got sick and since she was the only one who could sing low enough, she took his place, and landed a job in the chorus. By 1918 she was one of the club's featured vocalists. It was there she met Moe "The Gimp" Snyder, a wanna-be gangster who took over management of Ruth's career and married her in 1922.
After her New York sucess, she moved to Los Angeles and had roles in a number of films including Roman Scandals with Eddie Cantor. There are conflicting stories about the scandal that virtually ended her career. The marriage between Ms. Etting and The Gimp was virtually loveless from the beginning, and he was a demanding and controlling manager who would not let other men near his wife. They were divorced in 1937. While in Los Angeles she began spending time with Myrl Alderman, a pianist who had played with her earlier in her career. In 1938, The Gimp forced his way into Ruth's house, and shot Alderman, wounding him. The subsequent trial put a halt to her career, although she did make some appearances in 1947. Ruth and Myrl married and retired to Colorado Springs, where she died in 1978. The academy award nominated movie version of her life story, Love me or Leave Me, with Jimmy Cagney and Doris Day, was apparently highly fictionalized.
Deep Night
Ruth Etting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moonlight, lighting our place of love,
Night winds, seem to have gone to rest,
Two eyes brightly with love are gleaming.
Come to my arms, my dear one, my sweetheart, my own,
Vow that you'll love me always, and be mine alone.
Kind night, bringing you nearer, dearer and dearer,
Deep night, deep in the arms of love.
The song "Deep Night" by Ruth Etting is a love song that speaks of a serene and romantic night. The lyrics describe an idyllic setting, where the stars are shining above, the moon is lighting the lovers' place of intimacy, and the night winds are still. The two lovers' eyes are shining with love as they embrace each other. The lyrics then become more emotional as the singer asks her beloved to come to her arms and vow to love her always and be hers alone.
The second verse of the song speaks of the whispering trees that surround them and the idea that the night brings the lovers closer to each other. The song ends on a poignant note with the singer describing the depth of their love as they are deeply in the arms of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep night, stars in the sky above,
The night is dark with glowing stars.
Moonlight, lighting our place of love,
The moon is shining and illuminating the location where we express our love.
Night winds, seem to have gone to rest,
The breeze has calmed down and everything is peaceful.
Two eyes brightly with love are gleaming.
Our eyes reflect the love we have for each other and are shining brightly.
Come to my arms, my dear one, my sweetheart, my own,
Come closer to me, my love, my darling, my one and only.
Vow that you'll love me always, and be mine alone.
Promise to love me forever and be faithful only to me.
Deep night, whispering trees above,
There are trees around us that rustle gently in the night.
Kind night, bringing you nearer, dearer and dearer,
The night is benevolent and it feels like you are coming closer and closer to me.
Deep night, deep in the arms of love.
We are consumed by love and enjoying each other's embrace in the deep night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles E. Henderson, Rudy Vallee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wygtam
Never heard Ruth Etting's version before - it's fabulous!. Thanks for posting.
Imani M
Just discovered her over the past few months myself. I listen to her "Out Of Nowhere" on a weekly basis
Artigas1960 Millan
Gracias por darme la oportunidad de escuchar esta música maravillosa y esta gran artista Ruth Etting !!
Imani M
I just love her voice! This song is so beautiful 🎶 listened to Rudy Vallee's then came here
satori cmaylo
Beautiful voice
jb hamblen
Wonderful! Always great to hear this sound .
norfolk03
I have looked for this version for years, I had it on a 20's variety tape that long ago fell apart. Thanks so very much!!
Spencer Smith
I’ve heard the “Deep Night” verse played instrumentally many times, but today was the first time I’d ever heard it sung...thankfully here by the tremendous Ruth Etting...it sets the expectations for the refrain beautifully.
Wonderful.
Peter Baxter
Spencer Smith - if you can obtain a copy, do try the Layton & Johnstone version.
goback3spaces
Does that mean today's songs will someday be magical?