Observations placeholder
Guthrie, Woody - Goodnight little darling
Identifier
020800
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Second wife Mazia
After his split with his first wife, Mary, Guthrie settled in New York City. During this time Guthrie met Marjorie Mazia, a dancer in New York who would become his second wife. Mazia was an instructor at the prestigious Martha Graham Dance School, where she was assisting Sophie Maslow with her piece Folksay. Based on the folklore and poetry collected by Carl Sandburg, Folksay included the adaptation of some of Guthrie's Dust Bowl Ballads for the dance.
In 1945, Guthrie's association with Communism made him ineligible for further service in the Merchant Marine, and he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
While he was on furlough from the Army, Guthrie and Marjorie were married. After his discharge, they moved into a house on Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island and over time had four children: daughters Cathy and Nora; and sons Arlo and Joady. One of their children, Cathy, died as a result of a fire at the age of four, sending Guthrie into a serious depression.
Arlo followed in his father's footsteps as a singer-songwriter. During this period, Guthrie wrote and recorded Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child, a collection of children's music, which includes the song "Goodnight Little Arlo (Goodnight Little Darlin')", written when Arlo was about nine years old.
A description of the experience
Goodnight Little Arlo Goodnight Little Darlin' - Woody Guthrie
Goodnight Little Darlin' (Goodnight Little Arlo)
Words and Music by Woody Guthrie
CHORUS:
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight, goodnight,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight, goodnight,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
You've played, little darlin', all day
Your eyes are sleepy, I see,
Boys and girls are all sleepin' tight,
Goodnight little darlin', good night.
CHORUS
You've played, little darlin' all day,
With dolls and wagons and clay,
Your bath was warm and your jammers are nice,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
CHORUS
You hurt your finger, I see,
Come here and bring him to me.
Wrap little finger up nice and tight,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
CHORUS
You danced and sung with the kids,
Told me all that you did,
Told me your games and told me your fights,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
CHORUS
Tippy tip toe now to bed,
Snug and snug down your head,
Cover you over so nice and tight,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
CHORUS
I'll see you when the morning gets bright,
Don't let the beddybugs bite,
We'll both jump up when the sun gets light,
Goodnight, little darlin', goodnight.
CHORUS