THE WHIPPOORWILL
Written by Robert Mitchum and Don Raye*
As sung by Keely Smith on "The Essential Capitol Collection" (2007)

The night was young and so were we
Beneath the old magnolia tree,
And as you said, "I love you so,"
The whippoorwill sang sweet and low.

The moon was low; our hearts were high.
You said: "I will until I die,"
And while we kissed beneath the tree,
The whippoorwill sang happily.

Poor whippoorwill! The tree is bare.
He wonders still why you're not there.

While all alone beneath the tree,
Where once you pledged your love to me,
My lonely heart cries out for you.
The whippoorwill is cryin' too.
The whippoorwill is cryin' too.

[* for the film "Thunder Road" (1958), in which it was sung by Keely Smith.]