DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME by Sweden's Queen of Swing Gunhild Carling - Washington DC 06/20/25

Sung by "Sweden's National Treasure" Gunhild Carling at the 2025 Swedish Midsummer Festival at the National Mall in Washington DC on the summer solstice day 06/20/25, "Dream a Little Dream of Me" is a classic popular song that blends elements of traditional pop and jazz. It was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Although originally recorded in the 1930s, the song gained renewed popularity with the 1968 version by Cass Elliot (Mama Cass) of The Mamas & The Papas. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" has become a timeless standard across generations, with over four hundred recorded versions including by artistes like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, Vaughn Monroe, Dinah Shore, Barbara Carroll, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Joni James, and Dean Martin.

Music producer Thom Donovan characterized the song as a blend of lullaby and love song, noting its “comforting, childlike quality.” Kahn’s lyrics portray two lovers who must part ways, with one gently urging the other to dream of them while they sleep.

Gunhild Carling is an international globe-trotting Jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist who leads a multi-generational (mostly) family band which includes many of her own family members. She was invited twice to perform for the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf - once for his 70th birthday and also for his Ruby Jubilee. Her band today included her husband Johan Blomé (banjo) and son Viggo (drums). Gunhild plays almost every instrument you can imagine - trombone, bagpipe, trumpet, drums, piano, guitar, oboe, tuba, flute, harmonica, banjo, ukulele, harp and more! She often showcases all of her skills in the same song, including tap dancing.


Lyrics:

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper, "I love you"
Birds singin' in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

Say "nighty-night" and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger 'til dawn, dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams, whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
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Dream a Little Dream of Me

Stars fading, but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger 'til dawn, dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you
But in your dreams, whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me