The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5951   Message #793074
Posted By: GUEST
28-Sep-02 - 02:05 PM
Thread Name: ADD: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight (Carter Family)
Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL BE ALL SMILES TONIGHT (Ozark version
This one really entered the folk realm in a big way. Randolph, Ozark Folksongs has two versions. Max Hunter has it sung by Ollie Gilbert. Kitty Wells claimed it as her own. There is a Hawaiian version. George Strait, etc. Many bluegrasse groups have used it. Here is one from Randolph, with the false turn at the start.

I'LL BE ALL SMILES TONIGHT

I'll deck my brow with flowers, the false one will be there,
The gems that others gave me shall shine amidst my hair,
Not even those who love me shall deem my heart less light,
Although my heart may break tomorrow, I'll be all smiles tonight.

I'll be all smiles tonight, I'll be all smiles tonight,
Though my heart may break tomorrow, I'll be all smiles tonight.

I'll sing the songs he taught me without a trembling voice,
And when the dance commences, oh how I will rejoice,
When flatterers round me gather I'll hail them with delight,
My heart may break tomorow, but I'll be all smiles tonight.

And when the room he enters with his bride upon his arm,
It is then I'll gaze upon her as though to me a charm,
And when he smiles upon her, as once he smiled on me,
With his soft tongue he flatters, he'll find no change in me.

And when the ball is over and I retire to rest
A-weeping on my pillow, for him I love the best,
Though my heart's still aching, I'll keep it out of sight,
Though my heart may break tomorrow, I'll be all smiles tonight.

Mrs Joseph Pointer, MO, 1940, vol. 4, No. 812, pp. 334-335.

The other version, coll. in 1927 has the first two verses very similar to the Carter rendition.

3. And when the dance commences,
Oh how I will rejoice,
I'll sing the songs he taught me
Without a faltering voice.
When flatterers gather round me
They'll think my heart is light,
Though my heart may break tomorrow
I'll be all smiles tonight.

4. And when the dance is over
And all have gone to rest,
I'll weep for him, dear Mother,
The one I love the best.
He once did love, believe me,
But now he's grown cold and strange,
He sought not to deceive me,
False friends have wrought the change.

Mrs Iva King, MO, 1927, vol. 4, p. 334, Ozark Folksongs.

Has anyone found the original sheet music?