There’s a dark and a troubled side of life there’s a bright and a sunny side too
Though you meet with the darkness and strife the sunny side may also find you
Keep on the sunny side always on the sunny side keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us everyday it will brighten all the way if we keep on the sunny
side of life
All the storms and it’s pury broke today crashing hopes that we cherished so dear
Clouds and storms will in time pass away the sun again will shine bright and
clear
Keep on the sunny side…
Let us greed with the song of hope each day though the moments be cloudy or fair
Let us trust at the Saviour old way who keep up everyone in his care
Keep on the sunny side…
This song's lyrics were written to commemorate the Ada Blenkhorn's nephew, who was wheelchair-bound and tended to say he wanted to be wheeled "on the sunny side" of the street. (Because that's where the warmth is.)
So whatever political BS you're pushing, know you're twisting this song to fit your needs.
I like most versions of this song. However I will say the simple purity and superb musicianship of this 1928 Carter Family recording is hard to beat. How did the Carters get such driving instrumentals from only a guitar and autoharp? Have heard many modern versions that do not sound anywhere this good.
Every time i hear this song, it just fills my eyes with tears. Tears for what America has lost and a heartfelt prayer that we as one people might embrace the sweet message of this traditional ballad. Now we face a bunch of problems and enemies worse than ever. More than ever, we should not lose faith or lapse in courage. 'Keep on the sunny side' and trust in our Savior to keep us in His care.'
Years ago I was an ambitious young lad who had just had a big fight with a major corporate customer in which I came off somewhat second. I walked to my car that night feeling pretty haggard. When I turned the key, this song was playing on the radio. In that very moment I just relaxed and laughed. In trouble times, this tune still comes back to me, and in my mind I'm sitting on a porch, playing the guitar and singing along about the sunny side of life.
We start our Adelaide (South Australia) Old Time Jam session every fortnight with this song along with Will The Circle be Unbroken in honour of the Carters. I play a carved replica of Maybelle's L5 Gibson guitar ( a Loar) and I call it "Maybelle" :)
