Today’s post was written by Paul.
Smiley Burnette and Gene Autry
The song I’m sharing today is from 1942. In one of my recent uploads to YouTube I mentioned a handful of songs that are connected in my mind with a similar sound and style.
I thought of one from Gene Autry “All I Do Is Hang My Head And Cry.” It was written by Gene Autry, Fred Rose, and Ray Whitley. Lots of folks recorded it after Autry, including the Sons of the Pioneers.
I learned the song from a tv commercial. I tried to find it online, but couldn’t. I don’t recall what car manufacturer it was but the gist of the commercial was that the car was so fuel efficient that you could pass by the filling station or gas station without needing to stop.
Gene Autry released the song in 1942. You can see him and his sidekick Smiley Burnette doing the song in this video. It’s from On Top of Old Smoky.
Burnette sang the first verse and you can tell he was a good singer, but he was deliberately making his singing sound awkward. Once Autry jumped in they sang two-part harmony.
Burnette sang what I would call a tenor harmony and it was very unusual. He was kind of creative with it and he would go up in places you didn’t really necessarily have to go up. I’ve always thought Autry might be a little hard to sing harmony with. He had excellent pitch and timing, but there was just something about his voice that had a real unique kind of tone or quality to it that made me think it would be hard to get tight harmony with him, but Burnette did a great job.
Lyrics
Ever’ time I see her passin’ by,
All I do is hang my head and cry,
And I can`t forget her tho I try,
All I do is hang my head and cry.
Oh, I know not how to ease my mind,
Since she left a world of love be – hind,
Ever’ time I see her passin’ by,
All I do is hang my head and cry.
Golden love, oh, golden love you`re gone,
But each broken dream still lingers on,
And my weary heart keeps askin’ why,
All I do is hang my head and cry.
Foolish pride, oh, pride, what have you done,
You have made me lose my only one,
Now each time I see her passin’ by,
All I do is hang my head and cry.
I made a few little mistakes here and there but I hope you enjoyed the old song!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
This is the link to the commercial.
http://www.splendad.com/ads/show/198-Jeep-Compass-PhilBilly-Bobble-Head.html
Found it!
https://youtu.be/tL-x6jCbErg
Am i the only one to notice a CCR CD? They put out some great music too.
Happy Sunday, y’all! Great day to praise the Lord, but then every day is a great day to praise the Lord!
Paul, I watched your video on YouTube about this song. You sang it very well. My dad loved Gene Autry. I’m sure he knew of Smiley too. I just remember him talking about and listening to Gene Autry songs and movies. He sure loved all country music. If he was still living I have no doubt her sure would enjoy listening to you sing too. He’d love watching your videos to learn all the back stories about the writers, singers and the songs. He was just that kind of a guy. I sure miss him, but one day I’ll be reunited with him and my mom on the other side of glory.
Takes me back to my childhood watching Gene Autry and Roy Rogers:) I really liked Gene’s voice and thought Champion was a beautiful horse. I liked Roy Rogers too but loved Trigger more:) Didn’t know that Roy had sung with Sons of the Pioneers early in his career until I was grown and married:)
But Paul, as usual, you did a great job!
We are getting snow here in SC PA so it’s time to make snow cream:) God bless ya all and keep you safe and warm.
Paul, you did a great job!! I wish my daddy could have heard you sing this because Gene Autry was one of his favorites!! Thanks so much for sharing this song. Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Burnett like what you do with a brush pile! Burnett like in “dad burn it”.
Smiley Burnett(e) was born Lester Alvin Burnett in 1911 in Illinois and grew up in Missouri. Somewhere along the path of his life he picked up (or it was forced on him) an extra e at the end of his name.
My now deceased cousin and longtime Blind Pig reader Bill Burnett (born William Gilbert Burnett) began and ended life without that e. When I asked him if the surname had begun the same, he said he thought it had, that somewhere way back half the family had become more hightoney, added that e, and had gone on their pompous way.
Bill’s family (and I) pronounced their name like “Burn·it, while the better side of the family pronounce it like “Burr·net.
I hope you found this interesting!
Ed- I sure did 🙂 I love the history Bill shared about the name
Don’t think I’ve heard that song before but certainly enjoyed hearing you sing it.
Great job Paul. I didn’t hear any mistakes. I am not a hard critic. That song is A good match with your voice. Sure am glad you included a picture of Smiley. Remember him from childhood tv but did not know his name. Now I do. Somehow or other over the years I’ve gotten way more interested in the real life stories behind the scenes than in just knowing the screen versions of who folks are.
I got a report that heavy snow in Clarksville Tennessee, I got a weather alert during the night, except for midnight tonight through noon tomorrow, it could be as much as five below zero, I pray the pipes don’t freeze, may the good Lord bless you and keep you safe and well and warm in Jesus name
Never heard this song before but loved it and you have a great voice!
Smiley’s harmony did blend in well with Autry’s voice! Was Autry singing lead or low baritone??? Truly an old sad country song for sure.
Hi, Brenda. Gene was singling lead. Thanks.
🙂
I’ve never heard that song but sure did enjoy hearing it from you today. I was able to find a video of the commercial that it was used it & thought you might like the link. I really enjoy hearing your play & sing.
http://www.splendad.com/songs/show/166-I-Hang-My-Head-and-Cry.html
Paul,
I always enjoyed hearing Hank Williams sing this song.
Paul you sing so beautifully!
I can hear my daddy in my mind singing ‘all I do is hang my head and cry’. If something went wrong while he was working on equipment, or something around the house, he would sing that part and laugh.