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
Lawd You Made the Night Too Long
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made the weak and the strong.
But, Lord, you made the night too long.
You made the robin sing a song of spring,
And me you gave a lovely song.
Oh, Lord, that's why this night's so long.
The door is open wide.
What good's a heart and what good's a cabin
If nobody lives inside.
You made the mountain high, the earth, the sky,
So who am I to say you're wrong?
But Lord, you made the night too long.
You gave me arms, but they're empty.
You gave me hope. It's empty too.
I'm singin' hallelujah, hallelujah to you.
Believin' in you, believin' in you.
It's not my fault my heart keeps cryin'.
Lord, you made the night too long.
The song "Lawd You Made the Night Too Long" by The Boswell Sisters is an emotional and soulful song that speaks about the struggles of loneliness and the never-ending night. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing for companionship and the presence of someone to fill the void in one's heart and soul. The first stanza of the song starts with the singer acknowledging the beauty of nature and all the creations of the Lord. The rivers flowing, flowers growing, and the weak and strong are all mentioned, but the singer feels that the night is too long.
The second stanza speaks about the singer's realization that the bird has a lovely song and spring is welcomed with its joy, but the night is still long, and the singer feels lonely without anyone to share the beauty of the night. The third stanza mentions the singer's heart and cabin, both open and available, but the singer feels like they are useless without anyone inside. The fourth stanza talks about how the mountain, earth and sky were created by the Lord, and who is the singer to say that making the night too long is wrong.
The final stanza talks about the singer's empty arms and hopeless heart, crying out to the Lord in faith, hallelujah. The singer believes in the Lord, yet still cannot shake off the loneliness that the never-ending night brings.
Overall, the song captures the essence of loneliness and the need for companionship, and despite the singer acknowledging the beauty of nature and the Lord's creations, it does not erase the pain that loneliness brings.
Line by Line Meaning
You made the rivers flow, the flowers grow.
You are the divine creator who made everything beautiful in this world, including rivers, flowers and everything around us.
You made the weak and the strong.
You have created both the weak and the strong, and they all belong to you.
But, Lord, you made the night too long.
I pray to you my Lord that you have created everything good in this world, but the night feels too long and without light
You made the robin sing a song of spring,
You created the nature in such a way that every creature sings praise of you, even the robin sings beautifully of spring.
And me you gave a lovely song.
You have blessed me with a lovely voice to sing and I am grateful to you for that.
Oh, Lord, that's why this night's so long.
But still, the night seems to be so long and never-ending.
I've got a heart and I've got a cabin.
I am blessed with a heart and a shelter to live in.
The door is open wide.
My door is always open for anyone who needs my help and kindness.
What good's a heart and what good's a cabin
But having a heart and a home is useless if there's no one to live and share it with.
If nobody lives inside.
It's like having an empty space without a purpose
You made the mountain high, the earth, the sky,
You are the one who created the vast and beautiful natural world with high mountains, vast earth, and skies.
So who am I to say you're wrong?
I am nothing before you, Lord, and I can't question your doings.
But Lord, you made the night too long.
But still, the long night seems unending and unbearable to me.
You gave me arms, but they're empty.
Lord, I am blessed with arms, but they are vacant and alone.
You gave me hope. It's empty too.
And though you have given me hope, it feels like it is pointless and useless.
I'm singin' hallelujah, hallelujah to you.
Even still, I sing praises to you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me.
Believin' in you, believin' in you.
I have faith in you and trust that you will guide me through the dark and difficult times.
It's not my fault my heart keeps cryin'.
My heart keeps crying and aching with the loneliness and depression of the long night, but I know it is not your fault.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAM M. LEWIS, VICTOR YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abdeton1899
An absolute masterpiece, stunning vocals and an amazing arrangement. It doesn't get any better than this!!
@patthecatman
there's something very dreamy and surreal about this one. makes me think of my mom and dad, courting in '32 in the depression days and nights.
@roybo1930
+patthecatman You hit the nail on the head with Your comment! Dreamy and Surreal! Perfect description indeed!
@stefanschutz5166
Thank you from Amsterdam.
@MrJimmymac48
Lawd, there's a lot to be thankful for here! Outstanding arrangements and execution thereof by the musucians, timing and tempos superb, the 'Crosby Cry' and the Boswell Belltones, the phrasing and blending of the vocals! This is one of those performances that if you listen to it closely 100 times you will find something new and intriguing each and every time.......the subtleties are amazing! Even to the ending with a soulful mournful yet pious blend of Connie,Vet,Martha and Bing.....Smooth!
@AadJuijn
What can I say? It's one of those musical gems who are hard to find these days, everything is perfect...arrangement, singers (superb timing and balance) and orchestra...Grtz, Aad
@RedcoatsReturn
The great 4 B‘s, Bing and...The Boswells! Beautiful and brilliant, the talent blessed and best of all B’s brought bountifully before us ! ( lots of B‘s coz its Bing)😉
@keca1430
Love the photo of Bing and the Boswells with the KHJ microphone. Bing did a weekly radio show in 1934 for Woodbury Soap, and the Boswell Sisters were regulars. The program originated at the studios of KHJ radio in Los Angeles at 7th and Bixell Streets in the Don Lee Cadillac Building. The program was heard nationwide over the CBS radio network.
@everybodylovesmybaby
Don Redman also did the arrangements for Fletcher Henderson's orchestra in the mid-1920's. A great musician and an unsung hero.
@lutzrethberg7637
Thanks for this Aad! I'm in a Dixieland Band since 1975 and discovered the Boswell Sisters so late...