This song was first performed by Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson (later of "Casablanca" fame) in the Broadway show, Oct 25, 1940 - May 8, 1941. Benny Goodman recorded it with vocal by Helen Forrest on Nov 29, 1940. After the movie came out on Apr 9, 1943 (May 27 at Loew's Criterion in NYC), the Goodman recording got a new life and hit #19 as the best selling version on the Billboard charts in June. For the movie, the original lyric, "Eat fried chicken ev'ry day" was changed to "All we'll do is sing and pray."
Lyrics: Petunia: In this cloudy sky overhead now there's no guiding star i can see and i would be lost by each wild tempest tossed Oh, if i didn't know of a place we two can go..... there's a little cabin in the sky, Mister, for me and for you i feel that it's true somehow can't you see that cabin in the sky, Mister, an acre or two of heavenly blue to plow we will be oh so gay all we'll do is sing and pray as the angels go sailing by and that is why my heart is flying high, Mister, 'cause i know we'll have a cabin in the sky Little Joe: There may be a cabin in the sky, Lady, yet i am a boy who's headed for joy below there may be an acre way up high, Lady, but i ain't got wings and i want the things i know cabin life may be sweet but it sounds so incomplete i prefer my easy street right now since i guess i'll never learn to fly, Lady, i'm just passing by that cabin in the sky Petunia: There's a little cabin in the sky, Mister Chorus: For me and for you, i feel that it's true somehow Petunia: Oh, can't you see that cabin in the sky, Mister Chorus: An acre or two of heavenly blue to plow Petunia: There we'll be oh so gay all we'll do is sing and pray as the angels go sailing by and that is why my heart is flying high, Mister, 'cause i know we'll have Chorus: 'Cause i know we'll have Petunia: A cabin in the sky
