My Melancholy Baby
Judy Garland  

Words & Music by George A. Norton 
& Ernie Burnett, 1912 
Recorded by Judy Garland, in "A Star Is Born" 

Originally popularized by Walter Van Brunt, 
the song was actually introduced under the title
"Melancholy" around 1912 and may have been first 
performed in Colorado.  It has been associated 
with drunken crowds for a couple of reasons. First, 
an early cabaret performer by the name of Tommy 
Lyman performed it (typically very late in shows 
that didn't even begin until midnight) in the 1920s.  
More to the point, the infamous "Play Melancholy 
Baby!" line came from the 1954 film "A Star Is Born" 
and seems to have been associated with the song 
ever since.  



Chart 

Debut 
  
Weeks

# 

Label
 
  

 1954

 

 

 
   


Come, sweetheart mine, don't sit and pine  
 
Tell me of the cares that make you feel so blue.      

What have I done?  Answer me, 

Have I ever said an unkind word to you?

My love is true, and just for you 

I'd do al - most an - y - thing at an - y time.        

Dear, when you sigh  or when you cry, 

Some - thing seems to grip this very heart of mine.
          
Come to me my mel - an - chol - y  ba - by     

Cud - dle up and don't be  blue

All your fears are fool - ish fan - cies, may         

You know dear, that I'm in love with you.  

Ev' - ry cloud must have a sil - ver li - ning     

Wait un - til the sun shines through   

Smile my hon - ey, dear, while I kiss a - way 
each tear       

Or else I shall be mel - an - chol - y too           

Birds in the trees, whis - per - ing breeze     

Could not fail to lull you in - to peace - ful 
dreams       

So tell me why sad - ly you sigh      

Sit - ting at the win - dow where the pale moon 
beams        

You should - n't grieve; try and be - lieve  

Life is always sun - shine when the heart beats 
true.       

Be of good cheer; smile through your tears