You Are My Sunshine Lyrics

Written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell and recorded in 1940, this song became one of the most widely known American songs of the 20th century. It was adopted as an official state song of Louisiana and is treasured as both a lullaby and a love song. Best for ages 0–10. Few children's songs span infancy through later childhood as effectively — newborns respond to the slow tempo and warm melody, while older children grasp the emotional weight of the lyrics. Parents often sing this as a daily "I love you" ritual; the repeated singing builds the secure-attachment scaffolding that supports lifelong emotional well-being. For more on songs as bonding rituals, see [top 10 lullabies for newborns](/blog/top-10-lullabies-for-newborns) and [top 10 Father's Day songs for kids](/blog/top-10-fathers-day-songs-for-kids).

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are grey,
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,
I dreamed I held you in my arms,
But when I woke, dear, I was mistaken,
And I hung my head and cried.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are grey,
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.

I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same,
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day.