I came to know of this song because of Jimmy Rushing, vocalist for Count Basie, the original Mr. Five by Five, recorded a completely kick-ass version of it, one of the most swinging songs ever. I found a copy of the original sheet music in an Irving Berlin songbook, and found the verse; it was not that surprising that the song was written in 3/4 time - a waltz - after all, not everybody was into the Jazz Age. Irving Berlin, born in Russian, must have absorbed some wonderful old Russian melodies while growing up. Versatile as he was, I have some doubt believing that the man who wrote Alexander's Ragtime Band also wrote this lilting lullaby.
VERSE
Where the dreamy Volga flows
There's a lonely Russian Rose
Gazing tenderly
Down upon her knee
Where a baby's brown eyes glisten
Listen
CHORUS
Ev'ry night you'll hear her croon
Ev'ry night you'll hear her croon
A Russian lullaby
Just a little plaintive tune
When baby starts to cry
Rock-a-bye my baby
Somewhere there may be
A land that's free for you and me
And a Russian lullaby
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