GOODNIGHT
SWEETHEART
aka: GOODNIGHT CAMPERS
AL BOWLLY - BUTLINS CLACTON and SKEGNESS 1938
In 1938 Al Bowlly was lead singer with the Lew
Stone Orchestra, who played short spells at both Butlins Clacton and Skegness. Every night they signed off with "GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART."
It's my theory that the song proved so popular, Billy Butlin instructed it to be used every night, on every camp, from then on in. But, with the proviso that the words be rewritten to customise it for Butlins only. Hence - "GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART" became "GOODNIGHT CAMPERS."
As I say: "That's my theory." If you know differently, please let me know. Below are the lyrics
from both versions, from
which you will note that
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