"Hurry Sundown" is a 1966 song written by Yip Harburg and Earl Robinson, and first recorded by the folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary.
The song was commissioned by director Otto Preminger, who wanted a theme song for his 1967 film Hurry Sundown. Preminger contacted Robinson, who began working on the song, then visited Harburg for help with the lyrics. Harburg was not interested in the financial contract, but nonetheless assisted with shaping the song.
Preminger chose not to use the song. However, Milt Okun, who was at that point the arranger for Peter, Paul and Mary, heard "Hurry Sundown" and suggested it to the group. They recorded the song and released it on their 1966 album The Peter, Paul and Mary Album. The song was the second single released from the album, after "The Other Side of This Life". It was released on January 14, 1967, and reached #37 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, as well as #123 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. Some of the unknown musicians also played the brass section.
"Hurry Sundown" was one of eight songs nominated for the Best Folk Recording Grammy Award in 1967; the song lost to Cortelia Clark's "Blues in the Street".
Covers
"Hurry Sundown" was covered by vocal group The Free Design for their 1969 album Heaven/Earth.