a popular song from 1920
words by Buddy G. De Sylva
music by Jerome Kern
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Mem’ry takes me back away
To an early childhood day
When I stood within a little wood
As day was fading
I remember oh, so well
Strolling in the dusky dell
I would thrill because the whip-poor-will
Was serenading
Trilling while stars were rapidly filling the sky
Chorus
Whip-poor-will
I used to love to hear you call to me
Whip-poor-will
I know he meant the world and all to me
When the sun had gone to rest
I could hear you from your nest
Whip-poor-will
You used to whistle tenderly
And when the moon would swing
Across the branches of the trees
Above you would sing
Your plaintive little melodies of love
Now though you’re no longer near
In my dreams I still can hear
Whip-poor-will
Ever calling to me
2. While the dusky nightbird flew
To the evening rendezvous
In the dell I’ve heard the vesper bell
So softly ringing
As its music died away
And the sky began to gray
All was still and then the whip-poor-will
Would start his singing
Trilling while stars were rapidly filling the sky
Sung here by Fred Feild: