Lyr Req: Darkness on the Delta (Levinson/Neiburg..

Subject: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: GUEST,Mimsey
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 03:02 PM

The Mom of Mimsey (Mumsey, I reckon that would be) just sent me some email asking about a song by this title. Clues she supplies:

"The first line is 'When It's Darkness on the Delta'; second line I can't remember (except for the music...I remember the tune to all of this.) Third line is a repeat of the first and then 'Let me linger in the shelter of your arms.' The middle part of the song starts out 'workin' on the Levee.' Now that's all I remember of it."

Got any takers on this one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: Pene Azul
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 03:07 PM

You can get the lyrics here (click). This looks like a somewhat different version. Perhaps incomplete?

PA

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: paddymac
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 11:55 PM

Used to do a great barber shop chorus version of that song - fantastic harmonies and progressions. Hmm, another life.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: GUEST,Mimsey
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 01:41 PM

Just returned from vacation--sorry not to reply any quicker!

Thanks, Pene, the link may help us out, even though Mumsey's remembered lyrics vary a bit.

Paddymac--Do you remember the words? Were they different than those Pene linked to? Would appreciate your input.

Blessin's on all your heads! Mimsey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:15 PM

I have similar lyrics on a Cathy Fink recording. That's all she has for lyrics as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When It's Darkness on the Delta
From: GUEST,Mimsey
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 07:42 PM

I have put these lyrics past my mum, and she says those are the right ones... years had muddled them for her.

Thanks bundles, folks.

Blessin's on ye all and one.

Mimsey

Subject: Lyr Add: (WHEN IT'S) DARKNESS ON THE DELTA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 12:04 AM

Copied from http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/w/whenitsdarknessonthedelta.html

(WHEN IT'S) DARKNESS ON THE DELTA
(Levinson / Neiburg / Symes)

When it's darkness on the delta,
That's the time my heart is light.
When it's darkness on the delta,
Let me linger in the shelter of the night.

Fields of cotton all around me,
Darkies singin' sweet and low,**
Lord, I'm lucky that you found me
Where the muddy Mississippi waters flow.

Lounging on the levee,
List'nin' to the nightingales way up above,
Laughter on the levee,
no one's heart is heavy,
All God's chillun got someone to love.

When it's darkness on the delta,
Only heaven is in sight.
When it's darkness on the delta,
Let me linger in the shelter of the night.

**Alternate line: "Folks are singin' sweet and low"

Ted Fio Rito & His Orch.(vocal: Muzzy Marcellino) - 1933
Chick Bullock & His Orch. - 1933
Country All Stars - 1953
Don Lanphere - 1995