Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)

Subject: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 03:18 AM

A very dear lady for whom I used to sing in a convalescent home (until she passed away) always asked me if I knew a Japanese folk song called "The Moon Song." She sang a bit of it for me in Japanese but was unable to write it down, and I never had a tape recorder handy. She loved to sing "Sakura" with me but told me "The Moon Song" was her favorite; she was born in Japan and learned it as a child.

I thought perhaps Masato would know (or be able to find) the song. Perhaps there are other Mudcatters who have heard of it, too.

It might be easier to find if I knew how to say "The Moon Song" in Japanese.

Can any of you help? (A MIDI in addition to lyrics would help, too.)

Genie

Subject: Lyr Add: TSUKI / THE MOON (Japanese school song)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 05:25 AM

This, I think, is the sone. To be exact, it's not a folk song, but a school song for children.

TSUKI ("The Moon")

(MIDI (with illustration) is HERE.)

Deta deta tsuki ga
Marui marui manmarui
Bon no yoona tsuki ga.

Kakureta kumo ni
Kuroi kuroi makkuroi
Sumi no yoona kumo ni.

Mata deta tsuki ga
Marui marui manmarui
Bon no yoona tsuki ga.

(Rough translation: "1. The moon has risen [or has appeared], A perfect round moon, It is like a bon ('round tray'). 2. The moon is behind the clouds, Pitch-black clouds, They are like charcoal [or India ink]. 3. The moon appears again, A perfect round moon, It is ike a bon ('round tray').")

Found other sites:
(1) Click here. With romanized lyrics & MIDI.
(2) Click here. With translation and singing of the first verse.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 05:29 AM

the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 11:06 AM

Arigato, Masato. Nice to actually hear it (the first verse) sung, too.

Mrs. Tanaka passed away before I discovered the Mudcat CafŽ, so I didn't inquire about this song earlier. But I kind of liked it when she sang it to me in her frail, soft voice, so I'm glad to have the lyrics and tune now.

Interesting that you say it is not a folk song but a children's school song. The site that has the "romanticized lyrics and MIDI" says it is "considered traditional." Is this one of those songs that mistakenly gets called "trad." even though the composer is known? Or is it not considered "folk" because it is taught in schools?

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 11:51 AM

This is one of the school songs which the Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education and Science) requested some author and composer to write. It appeared in 1910 in a Ministry-authorized and -published textbook for elementary school children without the author and composer's names on it. It is not known who wrote it, but it's not traditional in the strict sense of the word.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Aug 02 - 10:06 PM

That explains it. Thanks again, Masato.

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: ciarili
Date: 18 Aug 02 - 12:58 PM

I learnt this song as a kid in Okinawa!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Moon Song' (Japanese folk song)
From: GUEST,sammy
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 09:29 PM

i loved this song smooth soft and kind. it always made me feel better when i was down afeter school or somethins.