Lyr Req: Sweetheart Darlin' (G Kahn, H Stothart)

Subject: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST,mrs_zezam
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 03:21 PM

There's a Light in Your Eyes, Sweetheart Darlin'...
This is something that I've wondered about for 15-20 years. I figure if a Mudcat does not know, then nobody does...
Once, on a bus out of Boston, I was seated next to an elderly Irish gentleman and we had a lovely conversation. He spoke of his wife (in heaven) and told me that "TALIYE,SD" was their song. The happy rembrance of it seemed to transform him; I felt as if I had caught a glimpse of the ageless essence of a person. It's hard to describe this, but it has always intrigued me. I would be so happy to know the lyrics, tune, anything...

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 04:27 PM

Well, Joe Offer tried, and Joe Offer failed. I tried the Levy Sheet Music Collection, the Library of Congress American Memories Collection, the UTK Song Index, and a Hotbot search - no luck.
Darn.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST,mrs_zezam
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 04:52 PM

Bless you for trying, Joe Offer!

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Quincy
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 07:33 PM

Mrs. Zezam, I think the song you're after is from the old Irish film "Peg O' My Heart" (1933) and it's called "Sweetheart Darlin'. I'm not 100% that it's the right one as I can't find the lyrics but it is on this album

click here

Also sung by a man called Morton Downey.

click here too!

Good luck with your search,
best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 09:09 PM

Dear Quincy, Thank you so very much!,
This has got to be it... I am very happy to have an answer after so many years! I think what I'll do first is try to rent that movie. Thanks for links to the music, too -- so helpful.
This is too much. I will let you know...
Mary 8-)
p.s.
I feel a little silly being addressed as Mrs. Zezam again... it is my fictitious childhood name that my sister gave me when we used to play dolls. I'm feeling a little giddy right now and I haven't even been in the tavern.
I love this place.

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Quincy
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 08:03 AM

Dear Mary,
So glad that this might be the right song!
I've only been a member here myself for a short while and I find it a great place too.
Don't worry about your choice of name.....as you can see, I have Quincy as my membership name but my real name is Yvonne!
I hope you can rent the film...please let me know the outcome if you get a chance as I would be very interested myself. You can send a personal message via here or keep a trace on your thread.

Lastly, welcome to Mudcat!!!

very best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 09:48 AM

Yvonne, I will most definitely report back to you. It might take a week or two before I'm able to get the video. (I am shut-in and don't like to impose on someone else to do errands for me until it is a convenient time.)
I've always liked the song "Peg O' My Heart", have been singing it to myself all day. I cannot wait to hear "Sweetheart Darlin' ". This should be really good.
Everyone is so helpful & friendly here. Thanks again! (Joe, too.)

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEETHEART DARLIN' OF MINE
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 03:37 AM

Hi, Mrs. Zezam - I kind of like that name. It has lots of class.
Click here for the allmovieguide.com entry on Peg O' My Heart. Also Click here.

Morton Downey was the father of the infamous talk show host, Morton Downey, Jr. Apparently, there is a Morton Downey recording of this on a CD from ASV. Claire Lyrich has a song called "Sweetheart Darlin' of Mine" on the only Claire Lyrich CD I don't own, "Silver and Gold."

Looks like you might be able to buy the sheet music here (click).
song title: "Sweetheart Darlin'
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Music by Herbert Stothart (I think)
Recorded by Marion Davies (who has an interesting story of her own)
-Joe Offer-

---

Now, I found a song called "Sweetheart Darlin'of Mine," and it doesn't sound like your song (I'm guessing this is the Claire Lynch bluegrass song, not the Gus Kahn song).

Sweetheart, Darlin' of Mine

I remember the day that I met you
As clear as the blue in your eyes
I knew from the moment I saw you
We'd have a love for all time

Now, year after year, it's still growing
Like a flower that blooms on the vine
Oh, say that you'll love me forever
Sweetheart, darlin' of mine


Chorus

Sweetheart, darlin' of mine
I've searched this world over, but I'll never find
A love that's truer and kind
Sweetheart, darlin' of mine


Can't tell what this life has to offer
Or just what tomorrow will hold
But I know this old world will keep spinning
And together, someday we'll grow old

Every evening the stars will keep burning
Every morning the sun will still shine
Just as long as I have you beside me
Sweetheart, darlin' of mine

Chorus

Last chorus:

Oh, sweetheart, darlin' of mine
I know in my soul that I'll never find
A love that's truer and kind
Sweetheart, darlin' of mine
Oh sweetheart, sweetheart, darlin' of mine

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 09:26 AM

Hi, Joe... I was so happy to find more presents for me this morning! You all are incredible. I've been learning so much in the few days since I discovered your site. It is really good to have all these answers. How many times I have thought of the man on the bus and the power of a song.
My sister (Mrs. Stardust) has been following my Mudcat adventure. Last evening she emailed me that she found a CD called "A Drop of the Irish" that has the Morton Downey version of "Sweetheart Darlin' ". I will have it soon! Dorothy said it is very sweet, sounding like an old phonograph recording with the little crackles. It will be as my friend and his wife heard it.
I am anxious to see the film as well (with "Mutt" playing the role of "Michael"!).
Sheetmusic would be very nice to have; it amazes me that you found so much info.
I would like to hear "Sweetheart Darlin' of Mine" now... those lyrics are beautiful.
I feel a bit overwhelmed by all of this. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Z.

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_ zezam
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 09:36 AM

I just realized the CD I will soon have is the first one that Yvonne told me about. If anyone needs lyrics to any of those other songs, let me know.
Mary

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Quincy
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 10:22 AM

So glad to hear your good news Mary.....
I was asking my mother and grandmother yesterday about your song (they're from Northern Ieland) and now I'm being sent out to look for the film as they want to see it too!! Now see what you've started!!!!

Thank you for sharing your lovely story that looks like it will have a happy ending.
best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 04:15 PM

Yvonne, this is such fun! I like to think that we will all be watching together. You were so good to find this for me. I hope your mother & grandmother will enjoy as well.
My g-g-grandparents and their seven children emigrated from Ballinamore in Co. Leitrim.
Best Wishes for you & your folks,
Mary

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEETHEART DARLIN'
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 11:20 AM

SWEETHEART DARLIN'

There's a light in your eyes, sweetheart darlin',
And it makes all the world fair and bright.

Like the light in the sky, sweetheart darlin',
When the morning steals out of the night.

'Tis a lovelight that's shining for someone,
Sure I'm wondering just who it could be.

There's a light in your eyes, sweetheart darlin',
Tell me darlin' it's shining for me!


Sung by Denis O'Brien on *A Drop of the Irish* album.
(not Morton Downey version as I previously thought.)
Mrs. Stardust emailed the lyrics to me last night. I will hear it in a few days!!

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 04:13 PM

Hi, Mrs. Z - are the lyrics you posted the song by Gus Kahn? Thanks a lot for posting them, by the way.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Quincy
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 04:28 PM

Thanks from me too Mary!

best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 11:21 PM

Yvonne and Joe, I think that the lyrics above must be the Gus Kahn song, but Mrs. Stardust tells me there are no liner notes on the album... when we see the film and compare the words, then we'll know for sure. (Could there possibly be another song with the same name?) What I am certain of is that the CD I am about to receive is the one at Yvonne's first blue-clicky above.
It's thanks to both of You that I'm about to actualize something I've thought about for almost half of my life!!
I never expected to know the answer, so this is feeling like a happy dream for me. I appreciate your help so much.
Mrs. Z believes in angels.

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: GUEST, mrs_zezam
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 11:25 PM

oops, there's no edit key, is there?
the clicky, it is not blue -- but you knew what I meant...

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: mrs_zezam
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 05:20 PM

Ok, I think I can wrap this up now. Thanks for your patience... when I asked about this song, I was thinking it would turn out to be an old Irish traditional one. In my excitement of receiving all these answers, it took a few more days before I realized that I'm out-of-genre here. But you Mudcats have been so wonderful to me & I'm still not believing my good fortune...

I am happy now because I have finally heard "Sweetheart Darlin' ". Mrs. Stardust came to visit this weekend and gifted me with *A Drop of the Irish* CD. There is a note in fine print that the composer/lyricist is Stothart & Kahn and this version was recorded c. August, 1933. The album is a nice historical reissue of songs from various artists recorded between 1927 and 1940.

This song turns out to have a short intro... my sister feels it does not fit well with the rest, so she did not include it when she sent me the words. I rather agree with her, but since I gave the lyrics above, it seems proper that I should mention it:

Me father was Irish, me mother was English,
but the Irish had the upper hand o' me.
And talking of Irish people and things,
how'd you like an Irish melody?

There's a light in your eyes, sweetheart darlin'...

The melody of "Sweetheart Darlin' " is very simple (not as musically-interesting to me as "Peg O' My Heart"), but sweet. The song is really growing on me each time I listen to it (over & over again). This morning when I woke up, I was singing it in my head. Its beauty is in its simplicity. And a lot of the charm for me has always been that it meant something special to somebody. Last evening I received confirmation that the sheetmusic was still available and is now on its way to me.

Yvonne, I'll send you PM when I'm able to view the film. If you & your family do watch it, please let me know your reaction.

Joe, if it isn't imposing, someday will you tell how-in-the-world you were able to find that sheetmusic (what search engine, what keywords?)? (There's another old song I'd like to locate.)

Thank you very, very much. This has been an incredible week.
Mrs. Z

Subject: RE: Req: There's A Light in Your Eyes, Sweet
From: Quincy
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 05:30 AM

Hurray Mrs Z. you're a member of Mudcat!!!!
Glad all has worked out for you...keep in touch

best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEETHEART DARLIN' (G Kahn, H Stothart)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 09:22 AM

The following lyrics are my transcription from the singing of Annette Hanshaw, 1933, found at The Red Hot Jazz Archive (although, frankly, this song is far from red hot):


SWEETHEART DARLIN'
Words, Gus Kahn. Music, Herbert Stothart.
New York: Robbins Music Corp., 1933
Sung by Marion Davies in the film "Peg o' My Heart" (1933)

VERSE: My father was Irish. My mother was English,
But the Irish has the upper hand in me.
Speakin' of Irish people an' things,
How'd you like an Irish melody?

CHORUS: There's a light in your eyes, sweetheart darlin',
And it makes all the world fair and bright,
Like a light in the skies, sweetheart darlin',
When the mornin' steals out of the night.
Is love light a-shinin' for someone?
Sure I'm wond'rin' just who it could be, my darlin'.
There's a light in your eyes, sweetheart darlin'.
Tell me, darlin', it's shinin' for me.

BRIDGE: You're wonderful, you're glorious, and so my heart I bare.
Sure Ireland must be heaven because you came from there.

REPEAT CHORUS, SUBSTITUTING LAST LINE:
Tell me, darlin', that light is shinin' just for me.


[Other early recordings:
Adrian Schubert & His Orchestra, 1933
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra, 1933
Bob Causer & His Cornelians (Vocal, George Buehler), 1933
Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra, 1933
Jay Wilbur & His Orchestra, 1930s?
Morton Downey, 1933
Ted Fiorito & His Orchestra, 1933

[There is at least one other song called SWEETHEART DARLIN'—a country song written by Tommy Chatterton and recorded by Floyd Tillman in 1947.]