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.
Good Night Sweetheart
Ruth Etting Lyrics
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Good night sweetheart, sleep will banish sorrow
Tears and parting may make us forlorn
But with the dawn, a new day is born (so I'll say)
Good night sweetheart, tho' I'm not beside you
Good night sweetheart, still my love will guide you
Dreams enfold you, in each one I'll hold you
Good night sweetheart, good night
Good night sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow
Good night sweetheart, sleep will banish sorrow
Tears and parting may make us forlorn
But with the dawn, a new day is born
(so I'll say) Good night sweetheart, tho' I'm not beside you
Good night sweetheart, still my love will guide you
Dreams enfold you, in each one I'll hold you
Good night sweetheart, good night
The song "Good Night Sweetheart" by Ruth Etting is a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to love and the power of hope in the face of adversity. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and sorrow for the end of the day and the departure of a beloved, but with a promise of a brighter tomorrow and the power of love to guide them through.
The lyrics "Good night sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow" and "Good night sweetheart, sleep will banish sorrow" serve as a reassurance to the listener that even though they may be leaving their loved one for the night, they will see them again in the morning and that their temporary separation will be eased by the comfort of sleep.
The lyrics "Tears and parting may make us forlorn, but with the dawn, a new day is born" capture the bittersweet emotions of saying goodbye, but also the hopefulness and optimism that comes with the start of a new day. The chorus repeats the sentiment of saying goodbye to a loved one and wishing them a good night's sleep, and promises to hold them in their dreams until they meet again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Good Night Sweetheart" are a beautiful testament to the power of love and the hopefulness that comes with the dawn of a new day.
Line by Line Meaning
Good night sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow
Farewell my dearest, until we meet again tomorrow
Good night sweetheart, sleep will banish sorrow
Good night my love, sleep well and forget about all troubles and sorrows
Tears and parting may make us forlorn
Crying and separation can make us sad and lonely
But with the dawn, a new day is born (so I'll say)
However, with each new day comes a fresh start and renewed hope (that's why I say)
Good night sweetheart, tho' I'm not beside you
Sweet dreams my love, even though I'm not physically with you
Good night sweetheart, still my love will guide you
Have a peaceful night my love, and know that my love will protect and guide you
Dreams enfold you, in each one I'll hold you
May your dreams be comforting, and in each one I'll be there to hold you closely
Good night sweetheart, good night
Sleep well my dearest, good night
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIMMY CAMPBELL, RAY NOBLE, REG CONNELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind