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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Bob Coltman Lyr Req: Mr. Moon (94* d) Lyr Add: MISTER MOON (KINDLY COME OUT AND SHINE) 28 Sep 07


Here it is!!!   Finding this was no snap, as the original song was not in any of the usual historical music archives. But I got the idea of looking in Maine Music Box, a consortium of three archives, one of which is the Bagaduce Music Lending Library, itself a terrific resource, and -- Wo Ho -- there it was.

"Mister Moon" is a 1903 popular song published in Boston. Details below, then come the lyrics. They may disappoint or offend some who will wish they weren't full of the racial denigration of the past. But this is, as I suspected, its origin: the height of the "coon shout" fad that ended decisively before WWI.

Still I feel pretty good about turning up this nugget at all. It is extremely rare, almost unheard-of, beyond the bare refrain known to numerous campers. Made my day to see it -- could hardly believe my luck. All honor to Maine Music Box.

MISTER MOON (Kindly Come Out and Shine)

From
http://mainemusicbox.library.umaine.edu/musicbox/pages/imagesequence2.asp?id=VP_003635A&seq=1&full=1

Mister Moon (Kindly Come Out and Shine) Copyright 1903 by Walter Jacobs
Being sung nightly in vaudeville by the composers
Words and music by Smith & Bowman, composers of "Good Morning Carrie." Published by Walter Jacobs, 167 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 1903.



MISTER MOON: KINDLY COME OUT AND SHINE
Smith & Bowman
Boston: Walter Jacobs, 1903.

VERSE 1. Ole Parson Jones was coming home this morn twixt one and two,
When lots of boys that hangs around has nothing else to do
But interfere with people ev'ry evening when it's dark.
Last night they saw the parson coming. One made this remark:
Says, “Yonder comes the parson. Now, let's try to make him run.
He thinks he's brave. We’ll test his nerve. I'll fiah off this gun.”
And when the parson heard the shot, 'twas then he got right scared
And started running up the road and this the way he prayed:

CHORUS 1: Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, silvery moon, kindly come out and shine.
Do Mister Moon, Moon, come out soon. My home I wants to find.
I'm brave, 'tis true, was never known to run,
But the boys behind me with a Gatling gun.
Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, silvery moon, kindly come out and shine.

VERSE 2. Now, all the darkies followed close behind him just for fun,
As they was told the parson's feet was bad and couldn't run.
'Twas just four minutes when the parson made a mile or more.
He must have been a-running when he ran clear by his door.
One coon says, “We're just joking, parson. Won’t you stop right here?”
The parson said, “excuse me, boys. I have no time to spare.”
'Twas very dark and lonely, not a single star in sight.
The parson 'sturbed the neighbors when he yelled with all his might:

CHORUS 2: Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, silvery moon, kindly come out and shine.
Do Mister Moon, Moon, come out soon. My home I cannot find.
'Deed all my life I never had no fear,
But now's the time I want my pathway clear.
Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, silvery moon, kindly come out and shine.


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