I have looked on and off for years for information on a song my grandmother used to sing to me. From what she remembers, when she was in grade school (1930s) in Northeast Missouri, she had a teacher that moved from California. This teacher was a very sad lady (something had happened to make her move east), and my grandma remembers how she sang this song in their music lesson, and how sad it was. Here are what we know of the lyrics. They may or may not be right. Any information on this song, the actual lyrics, its origin, etc would be greatly appreciated and help a very old mystery to me.

(Verse 1)
Nighttime comes a creepin'
Everything is still
All the birds are sleepin'
Except the whippoorwill
He's so sad and lonely
Waitin' for a way
Hopin' that you'll only be
Comin' home to stay

(Chorus)
I'm waitin' in the shadows
Just to welcome you
I'm waitin' and a hopin'
You'll be comin' soon
I'm waitin' in the evenin'
Waitin' and believin'
You'll be comin' home.

(Verse 2)
Now the stars are twinklin'
In the evenin' sky
The fireflies are blinkin'
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I'm listenin' to the robin's
Sleepy goodnight song
Honey you've been gone
So Long