Pale moon shining on the fields below
Darkies crooning songs soft and low
Needn't tell me so because I know
It's sleepy time down south

Soft winds blowing through the pinewood trees
Folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls upon her knees
It's sleepy time down south

Steamboats on the river a-coming, a-going
Splashing the night away
Hear those banjos ringing
The darkies are singing
They dance till the break of day

Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Takes me back there where I belong
How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south

Homesick, tired, how my mammy's voice keeps calling
When the dusty night is falling down
Southland, southland
How you're pulling at my heart strings
Let me tell you what your name brings for me

Pale moon's shining on the fields below
Darkies crooning songs soft and low
Needn't tell me so because I know
It's sleepy time down south

Soft winds blowing through the pinewood trees
Folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls upon her knees
It's sleepy time down south

Steamboats on the river a-coming, a-going
Splashing the night away
Hear those banjos ringing
The darkies are singing
They dance till the break of day

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