Golden Slumbers (Lennon/McCartney)
While plunking around on his father’s piano, Paul found sheet music to a lullaby called Golden Slumbers. But since neither he nor any other of the Beatles could read music he made up his own words and music. The original song was written by Thomas Dekker.
Carry That Weight and Golden Slumbers were recorded as a single song during recording session. John was not present during recording of the basic track (he was in the hospital following a car accident) but he later rejoined the group for vocal overdubs.
Recording dates
- July 2, 1969 (15 takes, basic track)
- July 3, 1969 (rhythm and lead guitar, lead vocal, and chorus vocal overdubs; reduction mixing into take 17)
- July 4, 1969 (overdubs)
- July 30, 1969 (vocal overdubs, first mixing into medley)
- July 31, 1969 (drum, timpani, and vocal overdubs)
- August 15, 1969 (orchestral overdubs)
- August 18, 1969 (stereo mixing)
- August 19, 1969 (mixing; crossfade into “The End”)
Personnel
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, piano
- George Harrison – 6-string bass guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, timpani
- Uncredited session musicians – 12 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, double bass, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, trombone, bass trombone
Release history
- Abbey Road (1969)
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [2019 mix]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [as part of “The Long One” trial edit]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [take 17 medley instrumental – strings & brass only]
