Origins: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me

Subject: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From:
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 02:06 PM

I'm looking for a song I heard as a child from my grandmother. It goes :

I see the moon the moon sees me,
Down by the shade of the old oak tree.
Please let the light that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

There must be more to this but I can remember any more. Thanks for your help. Cathy

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 02:13 PM

I learned this song in church camp oh so many years ago:

I see the moon and the moon sees me;
The moon sees somebody I'd like to see.
God bless the moon and god bless me,
And God bless the somebody I'd like to see.

I really think that God above
Created you for me to love
And picked you out from all the rest
Because he knew I'd love you best.

(repeat first verse)

Is this the one you want?

--seed ^^

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Metchosin
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 02:34 PM

Over the mountain, over the sea
Thats where my heart is longing to be
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 05:32 PM

Hi - there are five versions to pick from at Kididdles, mostly pretty much what BSeed posted above. Click here to see what they have.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 06:38 PM

For devotees of the late Denis Potter this song was included in his brilliant 'Lipstick On Your Collar' fantasy which was set in the British Foreign Office in the 50's. Like much of his output little of it is probably seen outside of the British Commonwelth. Regards, John

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: TCHector
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 07:50 PM

Thank you Thank you, the second graders Thank you. They are going to sing this for the school. Thanks alot

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 09:58 PM

You're most welcome, TC. Stick around a while: maybe you can return the favor some time.

--seed

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Night Owl
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 10:17 PM

seed...I learned the first verse you posted as a fast upbeat "ditty"(?). Your second verse I learned as a slow tune which has some beautiful harmonies and a different name. The verse you posted, as I remember, comes at the end of the song I learned. Anyone else have a similar memory..(or lack of)? If so, what's the rest of the verses in the slower version??

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: Áine
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 10:01 AM

Thanks, Joe, for the link to KIDiddles! The version of this song I grew up singing was Version #2 on that site:

I see the moon. The moon sees me
Under the shade of the old oak tree (I sing apple tree here)
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

Over the mountains, over the sea
Back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

I know that there were more verses to this version than just these two. Does anyone remember them?

Also, does anyone know who the author is of this song, or better, the original tune?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 12:25 PM

Mother Goose:

I see the moon, the moon sees me
The moon sees somebody I can't see
God bless the moon, and God bless me
God bless somebody I can't see ^^

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: --seed
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:15 PM

MAG--Is that right, is Ol' Ma Goose the original source. Amazing.

--seed

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From:
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:20 PM

Versions as early as 1784 are cited in the Opie's 'The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes'

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:42 PM

Yep, anon., above, has it.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Áine
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 04:18 PM

Ok, now we've got the author of the words -- how 'bout the tune?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Metchosin
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 07:30 PM

I know the tume of the version I posted the chorus for above,Aine, but how to get it across is a problem for me. My daughter's Finale programme doesn't seem to want ot work on this computer. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 03:43 AM

My 78 by the Stargazers (UK mixed close harmony group from the forties/fifties) goes:

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree.
Please [other versions have 'Lord'] let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

Chorus:
Over the mountains, over the sea,
That's where my heart is longing to be.
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

I kissed the rose, the rose kissed me,
Fragrant as only a rose can be.
Please let the light etc.

I'm sure I've heard a version that has 'please let the kiss ...', but I'm not sure how it goes after that. Make it up, that's the folk process!

Steve^^

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: Nogs
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 12:51 PM

Mom used to sing us asleep with this one.

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
Moon sees someone I'm longing to see.
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

CHO: Over the mountains, over the sea,
Back where my heart is longing to be.
(repeat the last two lines of the last verse)

I hear the lark, the lark hears me,
Lark hears someone I'm longing to see.
Please let the lark that sings for me,
Sing for the one I love.

There may have been a 'rose' verse in there too, but I cant come up with the wording (sleep was NOT aided by singing "I smell a rose, the rose smells me . .")^^

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me ^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 05:10 AM

One more version.
-Joe Offer-

---

I SEE THE MOON

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me,
There's grace in the cottage and grace in the hall,
And the grace of God is over us all.

Source: "Cut the Loaf: Irish Children's Songs," Carmel O Boyle, Mercier Press, 1986.
^^

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 05:58 AM

Our own primary school vesion went

"I see the moon , the moon sees me;
This song is stupid coz the moon can't see..."

Much to the annoyance of Miss Chapman, our teacher.

Cheers (Reckon your second graders could probably do better!)

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 10:27 PM

Jean Ritchie recorded a version on her "Clear Waters Remembered" LP years ago.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: dwditty
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 11:36 PM

Greg Brown's three girls do a nice version on one of his CD's. Bathtub Blues, I think.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Judy Cook
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 04:23 PM

The "Lark" verse that I remember from childhood goes:

I hear the lark, the lark hears me
Singing a song with a memory
Please let the lark that sings for me
Sing for the one I love.

--Judy Cook

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 01 Feb 01 - 03:31 AM

Judy, next time you're in Bedford, UK, we'll ask you to sing it for us!

Steve

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Cobble
Date: 01 Feb 01 - 08:10 PM

Thank you all, reading this thread has taken me back all those years to my childhood. Its one of those songs that suddenly appears again and your mind is back in the 1950's. was it that long ago.

Cobble.

Subject: Lyr Add: I SEE THE MOON, THE MOON SEES ME (Willson
From: Sarah2
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 04:42 PM

Refresh, because I was in my favorite second-hand book store, flopping around through the music, and found a sheet-music publication of this, copyright 1953, words and music credited to Meredith Willson, as sung by the Mariners on Columbia Records (featured on all Arthur Godfrey Programs -- oh my!) Price 40 cents. So I had to have it. Publisher was Plymouth Music Co, 1270 Sixth Ave., New York, NY. It goes...

I SEE THE MOON
(Meredith Willson)

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
Down thru the leaves of the old oak tree,
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.
    Over the mountain, over the sea
    Back where my heart is longing to be
    Please let the light that shines on me
    Shine on the one I love

I hear the lark, the lark hears me
Singing a song with a memory
Please let the lark that sings to me
Sing to the one I love
    Over the mountain, over the sea,
    Back where my heart is longing to be
    Please let the lark that sings to me
    Sing to the one I love.

I kiss the rose and the rose kisses me,
Fragrant as only a rose can be
Please take the kiss that comforts me
Back to the one I love
    Over the mountain, over the sea
    Back where my heart is longing to be
    Please take the kiss that comforts me
    Back to the one I love

***

Sarah

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGcat_dJVE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_See_the_Moon

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Judy Cook
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 07:35 PM

Steve,

St. Neot's isn't too far away. I'll be singing there on March 6th.

-- Judy Cook

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 14 Feb 01 - 08:14 AM

I'll do my best to be there, Judy!

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,Suzanne Sebastian
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 08:34 PM

I, too, learned this song from my mother, who also knew only one verse. I wanted to sing more, and found my inspiration one day last winter when I was having my morning cuppa, curled on the couch in the dark, under the full moon. I used the melody I knew to convey what it felt like to be a small child, listening to my mother sing this song while standing under a maple tree, looking at the moon over the bay. I was singing this all day today, so it was a merry coincidence to find an Email from a buddy, telling me about this thread. I hope you like the song.


I See The Moon

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
Peeking through the branches of the maple tree.
Please tell the moon she shines on me;
Shine on the one I'll love.

I see the moon and the moon sees me--
She shows me the sky and the clouds and sea.
The world is wide and I'm tiny;
Shine on the one I'll love.

I see the moon and the moon sees me--
She is old, and I am three.
She sees the one whose love I'll be;
Shine on the one I'll love.

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
Peeking through the branches of the maple tree.
Please tell the moon she shines on me;
Shine on the one I'll love.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From:
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 11:03 AM

Also a big hit in the UK by The Stargazers.

Michael.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 12:40 PM

Joe Offer's post above:

I SEE THE MOON

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me,
There's grace in the cottage and grace in the hall,
And the grace of God is over us all.


Source: "Cut the Loaf: Irish Children's Songs," Carmel O Boyle, Mercier Press, 1986.

This version actually first appears in P. W. Joyce's 'Old Irish Folk Music and Songs' 1909, #118 with music notation

Joyce says, 'On the first appearance of the new moon, anumber of children linked hands and danced, keeping time to the following verse-'

he is remembering his childhood from 1830's, (born 1827), so this Irish variant goes back a ways, obviously borrowed and adapted from an English original, prb. Mother Goose, since there are no Gaelic versions to be found, or are there?

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Penny G.
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:32 PM

This is dedicated to Allan for all the moonlight nights we are apart......

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Penny G.
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:40 PM

Allan...Is the tune as lovely as the lyrics?

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:26 PM

In the 19th century, the Mudcat discussion forum was called Notes and Queries. The Following note appeared in Notes and Queries, 10th Series, May 14th, 1904, page 395:


In Ireland, sixty years ago, children, at their first glimpse of the new moon, were taught, in order to escape bad luck or some dire calamity, to use the following invocation:-

   I see the moon,
   And the moon sees me.
   God bless the moon,
   And God bless me.
                 HENRY SMYTH.
Harborne.


Underneath Mr. Smyth's note is an anonymous note in brackets, presumably from the editor: "These lines were familiar in the West Riding a couple of generations ago."

The chronological indication, "sixty years ago", agrees fairly closely with the date of J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps's The Nursery Rhymes of England, Obtained Principally from Oral Tradition, Third Edition with Additions, London and Boston, 1843, in which the same rhyme appears (#299, page 169) though as an English, rather than an Irish rhyme.

T.

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,Lindswidder
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:34 PM

Yep - I've got the Stargazers Version on the "Uncle Mac" Compilation "Hello Children Everywhere" ... it's probably the best-known version

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 08:41 PM

T in Oklahoma- what is this   repeated, that starts every line?

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 06:15 PM

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,BIG ANDY
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 06:19 PM

have a look at this then http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,Johnnyboy
Date: 19 May 04 - 11:20 AM

I have wondered about this song for a long time. I sing it to my little boys, but had no idea where I ever heard it from. Thanks for all the verses!

Subject: RE: I see the Moon, The Moon sees me
From: GUEST,guest, blouse1
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 01:55 PM

this is a version my great grandmother used to sing to me

i see the moon and the moon sees me
and the moon sees somebody i want to see.
god bless the moon and god bless me
and god bless the somebody i want to see.

god looked down on me from above
and gave you to me just for me to love,
he picked you out from all the rest
because he knew i'd love you the best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Bindi Australia
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 05:31 AM

I have been singing this song to myself for weeks and just couldn't remember where I used to hear it.So thankyou 'guest' from Lindswidder...it was Uncle Mac! :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From:
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 12:33 AM

No one mentioned my favorite verse;
(the last one)

If I get to Heaven and you're not there,
I'll write your name on a golden stair.

God bless the moon and God bless me,
and God bless the somebody I want to see.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 11:08 AM

A vague recollection is that Debbie Reynolds sang this one in one of her movies, possibly Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) and it was briefly popular on radio and jukeboxes, by a number of singers, in the late 50s US.

There are a number of sites with info on Debbie's movies, but none that I find with a quick search that identifies what songs were included. If my memory isn't completely off (not a certainty) there probably was a published "modern movie version" of the sheet music, and some recycled/republished CDs. Again, the CDs offered don't provide a play list, so I guess they're only for old fans with memory better than mine.

But possibly, it's a traditional song that once made the big time in Hollywood, and the movie verson may be where a few 'catters parents learned it (?).

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Jane in Ohio
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 09:17 AM

I'm 72 years old and I learned this at Camp Fire Girls camp many years ago.

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
the moon sees the one I long to see,
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless the one I long to see.

Once I had a heart so true,
but now it's gone from me to you.
Take care of it as I have done
for you have two and I have none.

Then the chorus again.

It seems to me that God above
created you for me to love,
he picked you out from all the rest
because he knew I'd love you best.

Then again the chorus.

I sing this to my little 3 year old Great Grandson and he just loves it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 10:17 AM

I can't believe this tune is not on the Internet. Stand by, and I will try to post the MIDI of the tune I know.

---

We've got one in Mudcat MIDIs, leeneia-


Click to play

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 09:07 PM

That's funny. The MIDI search engine didn't mention it.

I'm glad somebody was kind enough to post it, but Lordy, that MIDI fiddle sound is enough to turn anybody off folk music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Elinor -Australia
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 08:15 AM

Thank you so much for the rest of the lyrics. My Grandad sang this to me as a child, and now my children love it. It feels like a gift to hand down the generations.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Jaime McDonald
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 09:51 AM

Hi there :)

Just to say you are right in assuming theres more, its an old rhyme that my grandmother used to sing to me when I was very little, and its been passed down through the women as a sort of legacy to sing to their daughters. The full rhyme is...

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
Under the shade of the old oak tree.
Please let the light that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

Over the mountains, Over the sea,
Where my heart is longing to be.
Please let the light that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

Im not entirely sure how old it is and whether or not its copyrighted...I dont even know the name! But I hope this is what you're looking for :]

Jaime

x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: leeneia
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 12:26 PM

Thought I'd share this memory:

The first time I sang this song to my little niece, she objected to the words "the moon sees me." She knew that the moon is inanimate and cannot see anyone. I had to do some fast talking about the imaginary Man in the Moon looking down at us. Thank goodness she went for it.

Kids are more intelligent than we think, sometimes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Wilson
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 02:38 AM

Interesting posts, everyone.
The version of this lullabye that was sung to me - many years ago - had a few changes to it.... went like this:

I see the moon, the moon sees me
Shining over the old oak tree
I ask the moon, that shines above
Shine on the one I love


Wilson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Paul from Woodhaven
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 07:30 PM

My Mom and Dad the Mariners' song on 45 in the early sixties. I very vividly remember the song, their version was kind of strange with a spoken word intro, but also some nice barbershop harmony. Man, this thread brought back some memories.

Cheers,
Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 12:10 PM

As many of you have mentioned, your parents or grand parents have sung this song when you were kids. I remember my parents singing this song as we headed out of Albuquerque to visit my aunt and uncle in the Sandia mountians. The version I remember is only a slight variation of what has been posted:

I see the moon, the moon sees me
Shining down through an old oak tree
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

I had always hoped there was more to it but alas, it seems to be a folk phenomenon.

I am a songwriter in Fort Worth and I write at least one Chirstmas song each year. I wanted to write a Christmas song using this melody and the basic idea in the verses. I assume this is public domain material.

In my song, the chorus is a new melody that complements the verses: You can find a couple of my Christmas songs on soundclick.com'austinstageline


Shine, shine Christams light
copyright 2006 by Samuel Joseph Harris

I see the moon, the moon sees me
Shining down through my Christmas tree
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Chorus:
Shine, shine Christmas light
Shine on my love tonight
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

I see a star shining in the East
Shining down on the baby and me
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Chorus:
Shine, shine Christmas light
Shine on the world tonight
Pleas let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

I see the Child, and the Child I see
In Mary's arms, He smiles at me
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Chorus:
Shine, shine Christmas light
Shine on the world tonight
Pleas let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love

Subject: what movie was the song i see the moon the moon se
From: GUEST,peggy mccauley
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 05:39 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: Bainbo
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 06:07 PM

Not much use to anyone, but my dad always to sing:
"I see the moon, the moon sees me,
Climbing up a rhubabrb tree."

I think there were only the two lines - that's certainly all I remember. I suppose it was for comic effect, but as we didn't know there was an "original" version, it was pretty much lost on us as kids.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,diggity dog
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 07:41 PM

"i see the moon, the moon sees me
down by the edge of the old oak tree
please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one i love

over the mountains, over the sea
that's where my true loves waiting for me
please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one i love"

i learned it this way. from my gpma and gma.
he flew p51 mustangs and lightnings
and all that jazz. true champ.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: bradfordian
Date: 21 Mar 07 - 05:46 PM

UK version by The Stargazers (1954) here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 12:33 AM

I see the moon and the moon sees me
Shines on the leaves of the old oak tree
I hope the moon that shines one me
Shines on the one I love...(insert child's name here)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,hush
Date: 01 May 07 - 11:45 PM

I see the moon, The moon sees me
The moon sees the one I long to see
God bless the moon and God bless me
God bless the one I long to see

I do believe that God up above
Created you for me to love
He picked you out from all the rest
Because he knew I'd love you best

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Jo
Date: 08 May 07 - 10:33 PM

Just found this thread. Here in Australia my parents sung the words,
"I see the moon, the moon sees me, way up on top of a big gum tree".
Different part of the world, has to have different types of trees.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 11 May 07 - 09:54 PM

My dad used to sing this song - I remember his singing only the first stanza and the chorus. I think he learned it as a soldier in WWII. He didn't sing much at all - in fact this is the only song I remember his singing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Mary Evans
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 03:54 PM

My mother used to sing yet another different version to me:

I see the moon. The moon sees me
shining down through the old oak tree
Hope that the light that shines on me
Shines on the one I love

Over the mountains, over the sea
back where my heart is yearning to be
please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love

I now sing it to my kids....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,jo
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 11:53 AM

I enjoyed reading this thread. I looked up the song because I just saw the wonderful movie Evening and it was sung in the movie. I always knew the first two lines and was curious about it being a longer song as she sang more than I knew.

By the way, I have a favorite game I like to play. It takes a bottle of wine (optional) a few friends and a moonlit night. Everyone has to sing a line from a song with the word moon in it. The wine aids in the singing. At any rate, as people cannot think up a new song with the word moon in it, they are disqualified. I have been "collecting" moon songs for most of my adult life and while I cannot hold a tune in a bucket, I know quite a lot of songs with the word moon in them.

Jo
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: goatfell
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 03:50 PM

it reached number 1 in the 1950's by the stargazers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: Michael
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 04:38 PM

When I were a lad in the 50's (UK)we used to sing
I see the moon
The moon sees me
Eatin'chips (fries)
Up a rhubarb tree

Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 09:29 AM

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
the moon sees the one I love to see,
God bless moon and God bless me
and God bless the one I love to see

I really think that God above
created you for me to love
He picked you out from all the rest
because he knew I'd love you best

I had a heart forever true
but it left me and went to you.
so treat it well as I have done
for you have two and I have none.

---

Please remember to put a consistent poster name in the "from" box when you post a message. Anonymous messages risk deletion.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Judi
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 10:01 PM

My mother used to sing this song as a lullaby to me 40-some years ago, and it never occured to me that it was something others might know. What fun to read the other versions. My mother sang only one verse, with a slight variation in the second line.

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
Shining down through the old oak tree,
Please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.

Over the mountains, over the sea,
Back where my heart is longing to be.
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

Whenever I'm in the throes of a romance and see a beautiful, yellow moon, I sing it to myself, changing the tree to whatever I happen to be under. Thanks for all your stories!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 02:22 AM

Thank you everyone. I sing this to my girlfriend and her 2 1/2 yaer old daughter. Well the first verse anyway. Now I know the rest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,CAZ
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 09:21 AM

Watch the movie "Evening." Claire Danes sings a version of this song with quite a few of the verses in it. I'm sure you will find it helpful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 03:51 PM

I went looking with Google Book Search, and here's what I found:

From "Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c…." by John Harland and T. T. Wilkinson, 1873:

Very few mothers will suffer the full moon to shine in at the bedroom windows when their children have retired to rest; for the popular opinion is, that her rays will cause the sleepers to lose their senses. Should children observe the moon looking into their rooms, they are taught to endeavour to avert her influence by repeating the words—


"I see the moon; the moon sees me.
God bless the priest that christened me."

From "English Folk-rhymes: A Collection of Traditional Verses Relating to Places and Persons, Customs …", by G. F. Northall, 1892:

The children of Whitby and neighbourhood, say, when the moon shines into the bedroom—


"I see the moon, the moon sees me,
God bless the sailors on the sea."—AI. (Preface xiii.)

Near Leeds the couplet is—


"I see the moon, and the moon sees me,
God bless the parson that baptized me."—O. 301.


In Lancashire they substitute "priest" and "christened." BA. 288.

From "What They Say in New England: A Book of Signs, Sayings, and Superstitions" by Clifton Johnson, 1896:

Look at the moon some night and say,—


"I see the moon; the moon sees me.
The moon sees somebody I want to see."

Then name the person you wish to see, and in a day or two you will see that person.

From "Harmonic Primer" by Frederic Herbert Ripley and Thomas Tapper, 1903 (with music):

THE MOON

1. I see the moon; the moon sees me.
God bless the moon; God bless me.

2. High in the sky the moon is bright;
Dear moon, good night; dear moon, good night.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,guest Mary
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 08:35 AM

Mudcat is amazing ! Thank you all , everytime I am looking for something I always go to Mudcat first and they always come through!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: HouseCat
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 06:00 PM

I had this ending from a friend's Granny, and I tag it on at the end:

I see the moon and the moon sees me...
Please Mr. Moon, don't you tell on me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 10:11 PM

I got the one as a child:

I see the Moon,
And the Moon sees me,
And the Moon sees the person that I'd like to be.

So God bless the Moon.
And God bless me.
And God bless the person that I'd like to be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,tina
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 02:39 PM

Here's the way we used to sing it:

Over the mountains, over the sea,
there is someone I'm longing to see.
Please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.

I see the moon. The moon sees me.
The moon sees the one that I don't see
Please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Kris
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 10:08 PM

I see the moon and the moon sees me
and the moon sees somebody I wanna see
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless the somebody I wanna see

God looked down from up above
and he picked you out for me to love
He picked you out from all the rest
cause he knew I'd love you the very best

I see the moon and the moon sees me
and the moon sees somebody I wanna see
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless the somebody I wanna see


My grandmother used to sing this to me...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Kath
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:04 AM

Mine is yet another variation as folk songs tend to have:

I see the moon and the moon sees me
Under the shade of the old oak tree
Please, Mister Moon that shines on me
Shine on the one I love!

The tune I know is also similar but not exact to the MIDI that was posted.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,London in Florida
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:09 PM

It seems so strange, i didn't know this song was so popular....last night my fiance (lives on the other side of the states, in Oregon *cries*) said he wanted to sing me something he thought would fit us, since we could never see each other, and that his mother used to sing to him when he was small, and I'm sure I'll be doing the same for my children. He sang it like this:

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
the moon sees the one I long to see,
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless the one I long to see.

Once I had a heart so true,
but now it's gone from me to you.
Take care of it as I have done
for you have two and I have none.

It seems to me that God above
created you for me to love,
he picked you out from all the rest
because he knew I'd love you best.

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
the moon sees the one I long to see,
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless the one I long to see.

the tune is ALMOST like that "hush litlle baby don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird" song, but with less notes for the fewer words, and really this is probably the sweetest thing I've ever heard. ^_^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Nicole
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 10:22 AM

my grandmother and mother used to sing this

I see the moon and the moon sees me
and the moons sees somebody i want to see
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless that "Somebody" I want to see

If I get to heaven and you're not there
I'll write your name on a golden stair
I'll write it big so all the angels can see
just how much you mean to me

I see the moon and the moon sees me
and the moons sees somebody i want to see
God bless the moon and God bless me
and God bless that "Somebody" I want to see

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Marveluzz
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:29 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 06:50 PM

This brings back memories of sitting in the back seat of a chara in the early 50's as a child bawling it out at the tops of our voices. It livened up many a mile!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,aileen
Date: 11 Aug 08 - 11:33 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,duffy1973
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 06:03 PM

Thank you all! I just saw the movie 'Evening' and was fascinated by the song (Claire Danes). As I could't remember the lines she sang, I am so glad I found this thread!
My son will be born in December and I am looking for a good-night-song for him. Now I am happy I know so many lines. In Germany this song is quite unknown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,MIchelle St. Rose
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 11:08 PM

I See the moon,
the moon sees me.
Hiding behind the old oak tree,
please let the moon that shines on me,
shine on the one I love.

Over the mountains, over the sea,
that's where my love is calling to me,

Please let the moon that shines on me,
shine on the one I love.

Subject: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me (to be played)
From: GUEST,Gustavo Ribeiro
Date: 05 Apr 09 - 01:17 PM

D                      A
i see the moon and the moon sees me
       G                  D
and the moon sees somebody i want to see.
                      G
god bless the moon and god bless me
    A                      D
and god bless the somebody i want to see.


D                     A
god looked down on me from above
    G                      D
and gave you to me just for me to love,
                      G
he picked you out from all the rest
A                D
because he knew i'd love you the best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Apr 09 - 01:30 PM

Paul O'Grady just played it on the radio. Ee ! It takes me back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: palex
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 08:37 PM

Here is a link to the Stargazers version which was number one in England for six weeks back in 1954

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8b1WuNifQ

Peter.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Kat
Date: 26 Jan 10 - 09:01 PM

mom sang this to me. was one of my favorites. none of my friends had heard of it, so i googled and wow! thanks for the other versions, guys, they're great

here's my mom's version:

i see the moon, the moon sees me,
the moon shines through the old oak tree
please let the moon that shines on me
shine on the ones that i love.

oh, over the mountains, over the sea,
that's where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me
shine on the ones that I love

i smell the rose, the rose comforts me,
sweet and tender(alternative "gentle") as a rose should be
Please let the rose that comforts me,
comfort the ones that I love

oh, over the mountains, over the sea,
that's where my heart is longing to be
Please let the rose that comforts me,
comfort the ones that I love

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,mickchick20002yahoo.com
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 11:27 AM

I sang this as a child, also:

I see the moon, the moon sees me
shining through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.

Over the mountain, over the sea,
back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.

I hear the lark, the lark hears me
singing from the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the lark that sings to me
sing to the one I love,

Over the mountains, over the sea
back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the lark that sings to me
sing to the one I love.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Guest,KK, ...no strings to tie me down
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 02:23 AM

Thank you for all the versions and information. For months now, I have been wanting to teach my two small children this song as we live across the world from all family and their father serving in the military in another part. I would sing the first line to friends and family and no one recognized the lyrics.
I now look forward to teaching my husband so that, with the help of current technology, he will be able to say his farewell to this.
I can't wait for my children to wake to begin teaching them the song in it's entirity.
Once again thank you!

KK, without a final destination

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Planomike
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 12:08 PM

I learned this version in Southern California in the early 60's:

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
down through the leaves of the old oak tree,
please let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love.

Over the mountains, over the sea,
that's where my heart is longing to me,
please let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love.

I kissed a rose, the rose kissed me.
fragrant as only a rose can be,
please let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 04:06 PM

It's on youtube:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8b1WuNifQ

and it looks like you can buy it on iTunes:-

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-greatest-hits-from-40s/id360287332

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: JB3
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 06:14 PM

my friend, Suzanne, said her Dad used to sing the first line of the song:
"I see the moon and the moon sees me."
and would, then, add the line, spoken:
"Hello, moon! Hello baldy!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 09:06 PM

My grandmother used to sing this variation to me:

It seems to me, that God above,
Created you, for me to love.
He picked you out, from all the rest,
Because he knew I'd love you the best.
I see the moon, and the moon sees me,
The moon sees the somebody I wanna see.
God Bless the moon and God bless me,
And God Bless the someone I want to see.

Subject: Lyr Add: ALLEGORY (Murray Attaway)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 04:44 PM

Modern song, my favorite song for over a decade, begins similarly.

Lyrics taken from the liner notes on the album, "In Thrall" released in 1993.

ALLEGORY

I see the moon and the moon sees me
The moon looks down on what I long to be
There's grace in the heart and grace in the hall
But the Grace of God is over us all

Sudden move in the stars
Whenever I look to the skies I can get lost
Stand in a mirror and know that I am a
fragment of something greater than I
Specks of dust in a moonbeam gathering shape and portent
Of greatness waiting to light

Even the wind in the trees is the allegory
Everything that is and ever will be
Is the allegory

We can stand with both feet firmly on the ground
And let our heads get lost so
thoroughly in the clouds
Conjure up visions of power and romance, destinies changed
In the twinkle of an eye
Stumble and fall, always serching,
desperate to gain some reason
In this life

But even the wind in the trees is the allegory
And all that I am and all that I ever will be
Is the allegory

I see the moon and the moon sees me
The moon looks down on what I long to be
There's grace in the heart and grace in the hall
But the Grace of God is over us all

Sudden move in the stars
Whenever I look to the skies I can get lost
Sweat in the foundry of lies
Hammer my soul until it looks something more like me
Forge a chain that binds us like slaves
to a dark and ominous dream

While even the wind in the trees is the allegory
And all that I am and all that I ever will be
Is the allegory

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 05:44 PM

My mum thinks she remembers someone singing this song but it was a sort of comedy version by someone like Spike Jones or Red Ingle but she is not too sure - can anyone help? Thanks much appreciated

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,Erin
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 07:38 PM

I see the moon the moon sees me
High up through the old apple tree
Who sees the moon that shines on me
Shine on the one I love
Over the mountain over the sea
That's where my true love is waiting for me
Who sees the moon that shines on me
Shine on the one I love


Loved this song as a kid!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 11:43 AM

Tiggeriffic one

Thank you so much!

I have been looking for the words to this song,
it seems like forever!

Now I will be able to sing it to my grandchildren!

Thank you so much!

Blessings, Tigg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST,pismotality
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 05:22 AM

Came across this thread as I was searching online for lyrics to the song You Have Two (I Have None) aka Happiness, recorded by little-known doo wop group the Orchids for Chicago's Parrot Records, run by the DJ Al Benson. It wasn't released till the early 90s, though recorded in the 50s. The Orchids are best known for the song Newly Wed, admired by Frank Zappa and others. Part of the lyric runs:

Don't you know God above
Created you for me to love,
He picked you out from all the rest
Because he knew I'd love you best.

I had a heart and it was true,
But now it's gone from me to you.
Take care of it as I have done
For you have two and I have none.

But the tune is not like Mocking Bird or I See the Moon as recorded by the Stargazers - it's a very slow ballad.

I have blogged about it but didn't know about these connections - I linked the "heart" business to Elizabethan poems like My True Love Hath My Heart and I Hath His. But this discovery strengthens the case for doo wop being linked to folk music. I have blogged about the Orchids' record and embedded a youtube clip here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 09:08 PM

God looked down from up above and he picked you out for me to love
he picked you out from all the rest
'cause he ne I'd love you the very best

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 14 - 12:34 AM

The only one I know is please Mr moon don't tell on me and it isn't ....appropriate for children it was written in the 1930s

Subject: ADD: God Bless the Moon (Ritchie version)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 16 - 03:19 AM

The Jean Ritchie version of this song is just a bit different:

GOD BLESS THE MOON

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me,
There's grace in the cabin and grace in the hall,
And the grace of God is over us all.

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
The moon sees the somebody I want to see;
God bless the moon and God bless me,
And God bless the somebody I want to see.

I see the moon and the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me,
There's grace in the cabin and grace in the hall,
And the grace of God is over us all.

from the album titled Clear Waters Remembered

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhNDRF9U3-Q

Subject: RE: Origins: I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 05:13 PM

My Brother used to sit on the side of my bed at night time with his guitar and sing this when I wasn't sleepy, or I was sad, he would sing to me in the living room on the couch .    Just to make me happy.. He was 8 years older than me.    And he was always there to pick me up. He had polo when he was three.
Dad was in the army, and mom was a at home mother   and we traveled a lot. So Jerry and I were very close   I miss him.   Carolyn of Richfield, Mn.