From New Orleans, they were classically trained and switched over to jazz as they grew up along with the form. First recorded in 1925, they went on to play vaudeville and ended up on radio in California. After being heard coast to coast on one of the first nationwide radio hookups, they became stars of radio in NYC headlining both their own programs, as well as working on shows with Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers until the trio disbanded in 1936, mainly due to their marriages. They also appeared in many films of the time. (See youtube)
Connie Boswell, who later changed the spelling of her name to Connee, continued as a solo singer after the demise of the group, influencing singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. She did all this despite being unable to walk alone due to childhood polio and other back injuries.
"There is only one person I ever tried to sing like and that person was Connee Boswell."
Ella Fitzgerald, NBC News interview
"Connee Boswell is, without a doubt, the most widely imitated singer of all time."
Frank Sinatra
The best website on them is www.bozzies.com.
www.TheBoswellSisters.com
www.Facebook.com/theboswellsisters
www.Twitter.com/thesistasdotcom
Down On the Delta
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soon I know that I'll find shelta
Where a stardust covers
Hovers over me
Wanna be down on that bayou
Just to see the friends that I knew
Oh Mississippi would you listen to me
Lord hear my plea oh
In the bottom how I used to play round
Lordy what a spankin' I got
Let me live down on the delta
I don't care how much I swelta
I wanna be down on the delta
Delta shelta me
Muddy waters used to be my playground when I was a tiny tot
In the bottom how I used to play round
Lordy what a spankin' I got
Well let me live on the delta troubles away from my door X2
I'm getting tired of living away from home delta shelter me
Wanna be down on that delta sooner loaded up on shelter
Where the stars cover me
Wanna be down on that boaou where all the
Friends that I once knew lordy, lordy listen to me
Oh Mississippi won't you hear my plea
Ahhh
Muddy waters hear me call
Muddy waters hear me call
Muddy waters I'll be comin soon
Muddy waters no more roamin
Muddy waters I'll be home
Muddy waters I'll be comin soon
Muddy waters delta shelta me
Ahhh
The Boswell Sisters's song Down On the Delta is a nostalgic song about wanting to return to the singer's childhood home on the Mississippi Delta. The song expresses a longing for the comfort and familiarity of home and childhood memories. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery of the Delta, with mentions of the bayou, stardust, and muddy waters. The singer asks the Mississippi river to listen to their plea to return home and find shelter and peace from their troubles.
The song reflects a common theme in blues and jazz music, where artists often sing about their longing for home and roots. The Boswell Sisters capture this sentiment perfectly in Down On the Delta, with their harmonious vocals and evocative lyrics. The song also features playful language, with references to the singer's childhood games in the "bottom" and the "spankin'" they received.
Line by Line Meaning
Wanna be down on the delta
I desire to live by the river
Soon I know that I'll find shelta
I will discover a shelter soon
Where a stardust covers
A shimmering night sky covers
Hovers over me
Floats above and around me
Wanna be down on that bayou
I yearn to reside near that swamp
Just to see the friends that I knew
To reunite with my dear companions
Oh Mississippi would you listen to me
Oh great river, please hear me out
Lord hear my plea oh
May God grant me my heartfelt wish
Muddy waters used to be my playground when I was a tiny tot
As a child, I played on the banks of the murky river
In the bottom how I used to play round
I frolicked in the lowlands
Lordy what a spankin' I got
I got in trouble for it though
Let me live down on the delta
Allow me to dwell near the river
I don't care how much I swelta
I don't mind the heat and humidity
Delta shelta me
Provide me shelter in the delta
Well let me live on the delta troubles away from my door X2
I want to live in the delta and leave my troubles behind
I'm getting tired of living away from home delta shelter me
I'm tired of being away from my beloved river, so please give me shelter there
Muddy waters hear me call
River, hear my cry
Muddy waters I'll be comin soon
I'm coming back to the river soon
Muddy waters no more roamin
I won't be wandering around anymore
Muddy waters I'll be home
I'll finally be at home by the river
Muddy waters delta shelta me
Please shelter me in the delta, dear river
Ahhh
An expression of relief at the thought of being home
Writer(s): SAMMY H. STEPT, SPENCER WILLIAMS, THOMAS 'FATS' WALLER
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
peter black
insanely good...harmony and spirt...such rebellion and punch for the time and still for now..inspirational isn't enuff the Boswell Sisters are the bomb
Corrie121
This is lovely. I have added it to my "favourites". Thank you for sharing another of your great postings.
roybo1930
There was NEVER a Female close Harmony group as AWESOME as these Beautiful Woman! GOD! I LOVE Them!
Aad Juijn
They are unmatched in their genre! Grtz, Aad
MLLSPA
I've returned and rel-listened about 20 times. Love it.
MLLSPA
Still listening.
Bobby Roy
My I LOVE This! They sure were AWESOME!
Cristina Tanase
Don't know about you guys, but I actually enjoy that scratchy sound from the record player :D It's nostalgic AF
Honey Bee
LOVE the Boswell Sisters!
Lisa Francia
Thank you for posting these! I seem to be having a similar reaction to many other posters here- "Where has this music been all my life?! "