The pale moon shining on the fields below
Darkies croonin' songs soft and low
You needn't tell me, folks, because I know
That it's sleepy time down south

Soft wind blowin' through the pinewood trees
Folks down there live a life of years
And when mammy falls down on her poor tired knees
It's sleepy time down south

The steamboats on the river are comin' and goin'
Splashin' the night away
You can hear a banjo's ringin', even hear the darkies singin'
Every day until the break of day

Dear old southland, with your dreamy song
Take me back there where I belong
How I'd love to be in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south

The steamboats on the river, comin', goin'
Splashin' the night away
Why, you can hear the banjo's ringin'
Can't you hear the darkies singin'?
And we play 'til the break of day
Dear old southland, with your dreamy song
Take me back down there where I know I belong
Just so once more mammy can hold me in her arms
When it's sleepy time a-way down south