Mighty Lak' a Rose

Frank Sinatra

About Mighty Lak' a Rose

"Mighty Lak' a Rose" is a 1901 song with lyrics by Frank Lebby Stanton and music by Ethelbert Nevin. The lyrics are written in an approximation of a black American accent as a "dialect song", and the title thus means "mighty like a rose". It is sung by a black woman called "Mammy" to a newborn blue-eyed white boy in her care. It was common at the time for white families to hire trusted black women to care for their children. The dialect has been modified by some singers, such as Frank Sinatra. The tune became a Tin Pan Alley hit, with versions by George Alexander (1903), Marguerite Dunlap (1911), and Geraldine Farrar (1916), and it was a perennial of pop music for generations. Deanna Durbin sang it as a lullaby in the 1943 film The Amazing Mrs. Holliday. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby (recorded December 4, 1945), Jane Powell, Lillian Nordica, Geraldine Farrar, Vincent Lopez, Paul Robeson, Art Tatum, Wilbur DeParis, Nina Simone, Petula Clark, John McCormack, Henry Burr, and Roger Whittaker. An orchestra arrangement was directed by Frank Chacksfield. 


Year:
1994
3:42
787 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Sweetest little fellow, everybody knows;
Don't know what to call him but he's mighty like a rose!
Lookin' at his mammy with eyes so shiny blue,
Makes you think that heaven is comin' close to you.
When he's there a-sleepin' in his little place,
Think I see the angels looking thro' the lace.
When the dark is falling, when the shadows creep,
Then they come on tip-toe to kiss him in his sleep.
Sweetest little fellow, everybody knows,
Don't know what to call him but he's mighty like a rose!
Lookin' at his mammy with eyes so shiny blue,
Makes you think that heaven is comin' close to you.

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Frank Sinatra

Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra, /sɨˈnɑːtrə/, (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and film actor of Italian origin. more »

33 fans

Written by: ETHELBERT WOODBRIDGE NEVIN, FRANK L. STANTON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Musical Genre
"Mighty Lak' a Rose" is classified under traditional pop and vocal jazz.
Release Information
This song was part of the album "Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely," which was released in 1958.
Notable Composers
Frank Sinatra did not write "Mighty Lak' a Rose". It was composed by Ethelbert Nevins and the lyrics were written by Frank Lebby Stanton.
Song's Previous Appearances
Before Sinatra's rendition, the song had been previously popularized by other big names like Paul Robeson and Deanna Durbin.
Recording Date
The song was recorded by Sinatra on 28th-29th May 1958.
Album Success
The album "Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely" peaked at number one on the Billboard pop album chart in the year of its release.
Track Length
"Mighty Lak' a Rose" has a duration of approximately 3 minutes and 26 seconds.
Different Versions
This song has been performed by various artists in different genres over the years, demonstrating its flexibility and timeless appeal.
Lyrics Theme
"Mighty Lak' a Rose" includes a charming allegorical narrative where a baby is metaphorically referred to as a rose.
Sinatra’s Interpretation
Frank Sinatra’s delivery of the song is praised for its subtlety and emotional depth.

Discuss the Mighty Lak' a Rose Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Mighty Lak' a Rose Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4534103/Frank+Sinatra/Mighty+Lak%27+a+Rose>.

    Missing lyrics by Frank Sinatra?

    Know any other songs by Frank Sinatra? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Mighty Lak' a Rose

    1,833
    32     0

    more tracks from the album

    The V-Discs: Columbia Years: 1943-45

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Reginald Kenneth Dwight is better known by what name?
    A Jim Morrison
    B Paul Anka
    C Frank Zappa
    D Elton John

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Frank Sinatra's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Frank Sinatra tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!