No More the Moon Shines on Lorena is a Carter Family song recorded in 1930. It includes the remarkable line, "the possum playing on the wild bananas" and was written by Louis Staab circa 1889. The song has been recorded titled as "Lorena" "Lorina" and "Lorrainna" according to Meade. Unfortunately Meade didn't realize there was another song with a similar name.

The other song is the Civil War song "Lorena" which is a different yet similar song with Words: H.D.L. Webster/Music: J.P. Webster from 1857 titled Lorena. Here's Webster's song:


The years creep slowly by, Lorena;
The snow is on the grass again,
The Sun's low down the sky, Lorena,
The frost gleams where the flowers have been.

Perhaps Stabb's song is a rewrite of "Answer to Lorena" by Paul Vane, which would make it a rewrite of a rewrite. Then the Carters would be a rewrite of a rewrite of a rewrite- oh well.

NO MORE THE MOON SHINES ON LORENA
Carter Family- Original

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Way down upon the old plantation
Old massa used to own me as a slave
He had a yeller gal he called Lorena
And we courted where the wild bananas wave

For long years there we courted
And we were as happy as one
And my heart works for dear massa
And the happiness of life is just begun

    No more the moon shines on Lorena
    As we stood and watched the coon among the corn
    And the possum playing on the wild bananas
    And the old owl a-hooting like a horn

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

One day I called to see my dear Lorena
I thought she would meet me at the gate
But they took her away to old Virginny
And left me to mourn for her fate

For years I had longed to see her
And the thoughts of her was ever in my head
One day massa read me a letter
Telling me that Lorena was dead

    No more the moon shines on Lorena
    As we stood and watched the coon among the corn
    And the possum playing on the wild bananas
    And the old owl a-hooting like a horn

But I know that her soul has gone to heaven
And there she is ever free from pain
And to her a brighter crown is given
And no more she will wear the darkie's chain

    No more the moon shines on Lorena
    As we stood and watched the coon among the corn
    And the possum playing on the wild bananas
    And the old owl a-hooting like a horn
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]