Now the pale moon's shining on the fields below
The folks are crooning songs soft and low
You needn't tell me, boy, because I know
When it's sleepy time down south
Soft wind blowing through the pinewood trees
The folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls on her knees
When it's sleepy time down south
Steamboats on the river a-coming, a-going
Splashing the night away
You hear those banjos ringing, all the people all singing
They dance 'til the break of day, oh
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time, sleepy time, down south
Yes, Lord