You Are My Sunshine

Popping in with a quick post on a storytime off-week!

Have you ever really read the full lyrics to You Are My Sunshine? They are actually pretty depressing and (at least in my view) depict a controlling and manipulative romantic relationship. But the chorus is baked into my happy childhood memories and the tune seems to be very widely known and sung here in the US.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
And I hung my head and cried

I’ll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another
You’ll regret it all some day

You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between
But now you’ve left me and love another
You have shattered all my dreams

I found some alternate lyrics written by children’s musician Bill Crosby on a blog post many years ago. (When I tried to go back to look at it, the original link is expired.) Those lyrics are sweet, but the phrasing of the syllables is a little awkward to sing and I’ve never really been in love with it.

But recently, I saw Mama Nous singing her version of the song, and it is so simple and sweet and works so well. I love that it doesn’t put pressure on the child to be someone’s only source of happiness, and reinforces the caregiver sharing their love. I’m going to be using it as my lullaby in an upcoming Book Babies session, so updated my rhyme sheet and ukulele songsheet. Enjoy!

You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my sweetest sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll always know, dear, how much I love you
For I will tell you every day

And every night, dear, as you lay sleeping
I will be there just out of sight
And in the morning I’ll be so happy
To start the day with my sunshine
Source: Mama Nous

Download a ukulele songsheet here!

Click the image of rhyme/song sheets to download a non-branded PDF