GOOD MORNING SUN SPOTS: A while back, I had asked for someone to come to my home and appraise my various collections, including original Hummels, milk glass, salt cellars, etc. A gentleman did answer my request at a time that was chaotic for me, and I misplaced his number. Hopefully, he’ll read Sun Spots and remember. I can be reached at 786-2574 or leave a message. Thanks, and have a glorious day. — Gail, No Town.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have another song I’d like your help finding the lyrics to. Part of the words are, “A laughing baby boy, one evening in his play, disturbed the household with his noisy glee…” I would like to know the rest of the words. Thank you. — Heather Rose, Norway.
ANSWER: This tune, originally performed by Roy Acuff and co-written by Acuff and Hugh Cross, shares the heartbreaking story of a parent losing a young, once-healthy and happy child, presumably to a sudden tragic illness. “Don’t Make Me Go to Bed (And I’ll Be Good)” first appeared around 1942 or 1943. Here are the lyrics:
A laughing baby boy one evening in his play
Disturbed the household with his noisy glee
I warned him to be quiet but he soon would disobey
For he would soon forget a word from me
I called him to my side and said now son you go to bed
Your conduct has been very very rude
With quivering lips and tear filled eyes he pleaded then with me
Don’t make me go to bed and I’ll be good
Don’t papa and I’ll be good don’t papa and I’ll be good
That’s what I heard him say and it haunts me night and day
Don’t make me go to bed and I’ll be good
Our lives have just been gladdened by his bright ascending beam
Our boy now in our heart was very dear
We hastened to his bed one night he was talking in his sleep
He didn’t seem to know that we were near
I took him in my arms and found his body raked with pain
To ease the pain we did the best we could
It broke my heart to hear him crying loudly in his sleep
Don’t make me go to bed and I’ll be good
All night and day we watched and prayed we never left his side
To give him up it seemed we never could
It broke my heart to hear him crying just before he died
Don’t make me go to bed and I’ll be good
Don’t papa and I’ll be good
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
