Carolina in the Morning

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"Carolina in the Morning" is a popular song with words by Gus Kahn and music by Walter Donaldson, first published in 1922 by Jerome H. Remick & Co.

The song debuted in the Broadway musical revue The Passing Show of 1922 at the Winter Garden Theater, where it generated moderate attention, being rather overshadowed by other parts of the elaborate risque revue. Vaudeville singers such as William Frawley incorporated it into their acts and helped popularize it, and the song soon became a Tin Pan Alley hit.

Notable recordings when the song was new were made by such artists as Marion Harris, Van & Schenck, and Al Jolson.

"Carolina in the Morning" gradually became a standard, being regularly revived as a popular number into the 1950s.

Jolson's 1947 re-recording of the number outsold the original.

Other artists to have later hits with the number included Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Dinah Shore, Danny Thomas and Danny Kaye. In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded a rock and roll version.

1 Lyrics
2 Trivia

[edit] Lyrics

The original 1922 lyrics (now public domain for reason of expired copyright in the United States) are given below. The chorus remains well known, but the verses have generally been dropped from vocal performances since the early years of the song's popularity. The verses give a touch of melancholy to the song, while the chorus on its own can be an almost ecstatic reverie.

The popular chorus has a catchy melody, more creatively constructed by Walter Donaldson than the bulk of Tin Pan Alley pop songs of the era. Gus Kahn's clever lyrics use playful wording and subsidiary rhymes within lines in a manner found in some of the better novelty songs of the era, but seldom seen in songs where the effect was romantic rather than comic.

[edit] First verse

Wishing is good time wasted,

Still it's a habit they say;

Wishing for sweets I've tasted,

That's all I do all day.

Maybe there's nothing in wishing,

But speaking of wishing I'll say:

[edit] Chorus

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning,

No one could be sweeter than my sweetie when I meet her in the morning.

Where the morning glories

Twine around the door,

Whispering pretty stories

I long to hear once more.

Strolling with my girlie where the dew is pearly early in the morning,

Butterflies all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup at dawning,

If I had Aladdin's lamp for only a day,

I'd make a wish and here's what I'd say:

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning.

[edit] Second verse

Dreaming was meant for nighttime,

I live in dreams all the day;

I know it's not the right time,

But still I dream away.

What could be sweeter than dreaming,

Just dreaming and drifting away.

(Repeat Chorus)

[edit] Trivia

It is unclear from the song itself whether "Carolina" refers to North Carolina or South Carolina, or (for a more risque interpretation) a woman named Carolina. The song has been used in public celebrations in both states from time to time.
Among the more colorful renditions of this song was in the 1946 Warner Bros. cartoon, "Book Revue", in which Daffy Duck sings a Russian-accented version, imitating a then famous Danny Kaye characterization, saying "feener", "Caroleena", etc., while wearing a zoot suit.
The song frequently has been a favorite of collegiate a cappella singing groups, such as Colgate University's Colgate Thirteen .
The song was also recorded by Brent Spiner, on his 1991 album Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back.