[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1931
Words and music by Leon and Otis Rene & Clarence Muse
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Homesick tired
All alone in a big city
Why should everybody pity me
Nighttime’s falling
And I’m yearning for Virginia
Hospitality within ya calls me
Refrain
Pale moon shining on the fields below
Darkies crooning songs soft and low
Needn’t tell me so because I know
It’s sleepy time down south
Soft winds blowing thru the pinewood trees
Folks down there live a life of ease
When ol’ mammy falls upon her knees
It’s sleepy time down south
Steamboats on the river a-comin’, a-goin’
Splashing the night away
Hear those banjos ringin’, the darkies a-singin’
They dance till break of day
Dear Old Southland with its dreamy songs
Takes me back there where I belong
How I’d love to be in mammy’s arms
When it’s sleepy time down south