"The Japanese Sandman" (Nora Bayes, 1920)

Popular collaboration by composer Richard Whiting and lyricist Raymond Egan.

THE JAPANESE SANDMAN
(Words by Raymond B. Egan / Music by Richard A. Whiting, 1920)

Won't you stretch imagination for the moment and come with me
Let us hasten to a nation lying over the western sea
Right behind the cherry blossoms here's a sight that will please your eyes
There's a lady with a baby of Japan singing lullabies
Hear her as she cries:

"Here's the Japanese Sandman sneaking on with the dew just an old second hand man
He'll buy your old day from you
he will take every sorrow of the day that is through
and he'll give you tomorrow just to start a life anew
then you'll be a bit older in the dawn when you wake
and you'll be a bit bolder with the new day you make
here's the Japanese Sandman trade him silver for gold
just an old second hand man trading new days for old."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Japanese Sandman
• Nora Bayes
• 1920
• Richard Whiting
• Raymond Egan

[deepseadirt]

it's good to see Nora getting some exposure on Youtube. If she'd lived past 1928 and say lived as long as her contemporary Sophie Tucker, then she could've recorded for films and possibly television. But these acousticals are all we have of her and that's at least something. thanks much.

[RReady555]

Glad to oblige--yes, an artist of Nora's enormous gifts would have found a huge new audience & TV age. Still, it's heartening to see how popular her vids are here on YouTube.

Best,

-RR

[emb1st]

IT WAS ON COLUMBIA AND IT'S HER BEST

[RReady555]

Thanks for that confirmation (and vote), edd! ;)

[pax41]

The sound on this is almost as good as an electric recording. This must be a Columbia recording. I like this one a lot! Only own one of her records. Thanks

[RReady555]

Your ear is true, pax--it's Columbia A2997. Nora was one of their Broadway headliners.

Best,

-RR

[jazzytds]

This song was just on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Wonderful tune.

[LisaPhillic]

Beautful song!!! her voice is so deep and mellow

[XxSeaSunxX]

wow! i found a frame with the second picture in a box a couple days ago and i never thought i would find this song lol

[netheadplurk]

"The Japanese Sandman" (Nora Bayes, 1920) sending out to @softthistle

[grmey78]

Nora Bayes was as big as any singer today. I wish she lasted to the electric recordings.  I used to have Just like a Gypsy. I would love to hear it again. If anyone has it.

[rrayas11]

@jazzytds Fit the episode so well

[Wafflewarrior7]

Jimmy Darmody!!!

[NoOtherNamesWereLeft]

Excellent! I'm subscribing.

[eljeffe1815]

Thanks for putting that up. I have an instrumental version on 78, but I have never heard the lyrics. Great singer.