Wendell Hall’s 1923 hit, "It Ain’t Gonna Rain No Mo'," is more than just a catchy folk tune; it’s a cultural icon that has endured for over a century. Hall, also known as "The Red-Headed Music Maker," turned this playful song into a sensation with its ukulele arrangement by May Singhi Breen, selling over two million copies. The track quickly became a favorite in both the U.S. and Britain, with Sheffield United supporters famously singing it during the 1925 FA Cup final, cementing its place as a football anthem of the era.
But the song’s history stretches back even further, with roots in the 19th century folk tradition. Poet Carl Sandburg suggested it was already circulating by the 1870s, and Hall’s recording likely codified existing versions while adding his own verses. This blend of old and new helped the song skyrocket in popularity.
The tune has also made its mark in popular media, appearing in vintage cartoons like the 1930 Pathé Studios’ Noah Knew His Ark and the 1933 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon The Plumber. Even in recent years, "It Ain’t Gonna Rain No Mo'" has been featured in the 2014 film Against the Sun and remains a folk favorite for its humorous and simple appeal.
Now in the public domain, the legacy of this enduring classic continues to grow, proving that great folk songs never fade—they just find new ways to stay relevant.
