The Boswell Sisters - Sleepy Time Down South

[lexo30]

Great stuff. There's a couple of killer guitarists on that track, too. I'm guessing Dick McDonough and Carl Kress.

[SatchmoSings]

@lexo30 It's Eddie Lang

[emerging2012]

The definition of croon is as follows

1. To hum or sing softly.

2. To sing popular songs in a soft, sentimental manner.

3. Scots To roar or bellow.

To sing softly or in a humming way: crooning a lullaby.

A soft singing or humming.

[7jack7]

The Boswell Sisters and the Andrew Sisters were an influence and inspiration for The Skylarks of 1950s South Africa. The Skylarks was a girl group formed by recently departed Miriam Makeba.

Unfortunately, Gallo Music Group, which owns the rights to these recordings, keeps a tight rein on them and no longer has them available.

[yenerowna]

I start by saying I´m multiracial.

In those days the word nigger didn´t have the strong meaning it has now. It wasn´t a nice word even then though. Look up (the word) nigger on wikipedia. You´ll notice that a nigger is also a butterfly.

One of the reasons Armstrong could get so big is because he wasn´t political correct. In my opinion the PC thinking is what shurts the black race in our time. Michael Jackson is the only one who can match Louis because he too wasn´t PC.

[phillytalented]

crooning.....Lets all thank God that we have the freedom and education to know better. As for the song, just sit back and enjoy. no harm was meant in the writting of it. Louis sung it!!!

[phillytalented]

i start my coment off by saying that I am black.......This song shows no racisim due to the context it was used in. Like someone else said, it was in admiration of the black culture. Yet, it was a sign of ignorance. They werent hating black people, just honestly thought that "darkie" instead of something like "nigger" was better. at that time black people had to get what they could get i would assume. If i lived in that time, i might have accepted darkie so that i didnt have to sing niggers

[everybodylovesmybaby]

This song was actually composed by three African-Americans, Leon Rene', Otis Rene', and Clarence Muse. Clarence Muse was a lawyer and actor. Leon Rene' was involved in music and recording through the 1950's, involved in both R&B and rock and roll. The song has been recorded numerous times, with the words "darkie" and "mammy" changed. See, e.g., Billie Holliday.

[Morthund]

amazing... I love this, thanks for the upload

I work at an old folks home and theres this old artist that lives there, once in a while we sit and listen to his music, and the poor bastard almost had a heart-attack when I mentioned that I'd been listening to this

[opryman52]

What's an awful thing to say!

[cha5]

I wish we you hadn't cut the Fleischer toon out, Those are always some of my favorites, Still it's a nice video though.

[southernrockdrummer]

Man these gals were fantastic. They harmonized better than the Andrews sisters ever did

[karmicrevolutionary]

triple solid senders...the best close harmonies under the sun x

[vincenz55]

whats the name of the tune the before sleepy down starts..its similar to the dukes of the hazzard tune when they jump a hill

[hoopjnky]

The song is called "Lou'siana Waddle" and may be heard in the short "Ramblin' Round Radio Row"

[AnonymousLolita]

I notice that at the first few seconds, the cartoon depicts Connee being able to walk.

[southernrockdrummer]

"I notice that at the first few seconds, the cartoon depicts Connee being able to walk."

I caught that too. It's a pity polio took it's awful toll on her so early in life.

[DavesSam]

I know it is difficult not to label this song as racist but taking into context the language of the day, please look up The Brown Sisters singing Underneath the Harlem moon. They use the same venacular. The Brown Sisters unfortunately did not record but this one record but this song showcases their immense talent.

[mianno58]

This is the history of America. Certainly was not right but that is what is was then. Thank God we don't have the PC Police take these and lock in a vault.

[jsb1750]

The first few seconds of this clip appears to be a Max Fleisher/Paramount Talkartoon, isn't it? Where's the rest of the short? Nonetheless, this is cool.

[panamintjoe]

Great harmony, terrific Eddie Lang.

[joomuck]

One gets capitivated by the voices and forgets the history. It is a seductive experience by great singers.

[mjaz62]

The Boswell Sisters were as UN-racist as they come. If you read their history, you will see that they styled their music from New Orleans blacks and many many black artists of the day were their personal friends. Miss Ella Fitzgerald always gave credit to Connee Boswell as HER role model. This was an adaptation of an old, old southern song, and using the term was not meant offensively - rather, historically. Certainly today, they would never use that term, but in 1930's? Not racist!

[hoopjnky]

Amen sister!

[Holleybe]

This was Armstrong's favorite and theme song, even with the original lyrics. Today, "people singin'" Or "I long to be back in your arms" instead of Mammy's arms are used. In early popular music and musical theater, racism was a common style with comedic tunes about the different groups, Blacks, Native Americans, Jews, Irish, Slavic, there were dozens of racist lyrics of all kinds.

Sleepytime happens to be a great SONG despite the lyrics. View history for what it is, history.

[solosteven37]

Such over the top sentimentality. Makes me long for that old plantation. And I'm from NEW YORK!!

[hobojazz]

great clip! I'd never seen it before! It looks like it woulda been played between movies. I'd of loved to hear an audience trying to sing along with it!

[howiekim25]

black...white...green...red...­polka dot..what's the difference...still a lovely tune rendered by a fantastic trio...

[htjw44]

"darkies a singing" ha. It doesn't sound racist in the songs context because they want to be there with the "darkies"

[BattleAngel]

I really like the boswell sisters and think they are very talented. But this song is completely racist it takes away all the enjoyment and leaves you with just a sad reflection of America's racist past.

[hoopjnky]

Except this was also Louis Armstrong's favorite song... times have changed, and for the better. But back then, this was PC, and a beloved vision of the south to both black and white.

[BattleAngel]

Ha ha ha no it wasn't just because you drop the name of one prominent black figure does not mean you can make the ludicrous and blatant statement that this was beloved by black audiences. True a number of black entertainers took part in outright racist performances and even exploited their own race yet this in no way reflects an "beloved" manner on their part. Most Black Americans feel extreme anger and turmoil over these sad stereotypes whether they performed them or not.

[hoopjnky]

Rewrite history any way you wish. This was Armstrong's signature song.

[BattleAngel]

Did the post I make for you earlier have too many words for you to understand? Or do you just have no understanding? You have some nerve to say I rewrite history then say this song was a beloved vision of the south to blacks... like you understand how blacks felt in the south... which you obviously don't. I refuse to repeat what I said to you.

[BattleAngel]

Just go back and reread what I said (slowly if it will help.) I did nothing to rewrite history in any of my posts. Don't ever pin your stupidity on me.

[phillytalented]

ok Louis did not exploit his race, he gave it hope. honestly if you were to do your research you would know that because of him, black people can act in movies as normal human being and share the stage with white people. He became very respcted in the white community and was great friends with bing crosby. he stared in many movies with him as a very famous black musician and not a servant or low character

[scotpens]

"Takes away all the enjoyment"? Only if you listen to it through the filter of modern attitudes. Just because a song romanticizes the old South and has a line or two about "darkies crooning" doesn't make it racist. Racism means a belief in racial superiority, and the song says nothing about that. Appreciate the song in the context of its time, and stop trying to impose today's sensibilities on the past.

[animeschool]

i like the boswell sisters but I won't go as far as justify racism. Just because someone says "nigger" but uses endearingly does not mean its right. Racism is racial superiority but its also racial ignorance. I've met people who didn't believe they were superior to blacks but would believe whatever you told them about them like they were all lazy or stupid I even saw one person who really believed black people were immune to all diseases! They werent trying to be superior they were just stupid

[scotpens]

I'm not trying to justify racism, it's just that the word "racism" is so overused nowadays, it's lost all meaning. If young blacks want to call each other "nigger" or "nigga" as a term of affection or racial solidarity, who's to tell them they can't? Offensiveness is a perception, not a fact. Words can mean different things depending on intent and context. And in the context of a wistful, nostalgic song written in 1930, there's nothing wrong with saying "darkies."

[speechmo]

There would no modern vocal harmony today if it weren't for the innovative genius of the Boswell Sisters.

[rosedesign]

Ah, the Boswells! This tune wouldn't be considered very PC now, would it? I'm glad to see the second Boswell video on YT, but still prefer "Heebie Jeebies".

[gwalker134]

New Orleans own.