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Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni

18 Feb 02 - 12:30 PM (#652726)
Subject: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: GUEST,Amy

My mom used to sing me this one and now I want to sing it to my kids. Dear old dad thinks it's a 50's folk tune. Mom's long gone so can't ask her. Appreciate any help.

18 Feb 02 - 12:42 PM (#652735)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: masato sakurai

This one?

~Masato

18 Feb 02 - 12:42 PM (#652736)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: GUEST,Greyeyes

I have found the following snippet, but no more so far.


"Oh! Mother, how pretty the moon looks tonight,
It was never so pretty before,
It's two pointed horns are so sharp and so bright,
I hope it won't grow any more."

18 Feb 02 - 12:49 PM (#652740)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: GUEST,Greyeyes

Of course had I used the DT & forum search first instead of last I would have found this thread Click here

18 Feb 02 - 12:51 PM (#652741)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: masato sakurai

P.S. I'm confused. According to this page, the writer is Mary Howitt.

18 Feb 02 - 12:54 PM (#652743)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: GUEST,Greyeyes

Masato, the thread linked above has an interesting discussion on the attribution of these lyrics.

18 Feb 02 - 12:58 PM (#652744)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: masato sakurai

Thanks for the link, Greyeyes. I should have used the DT and Forum search.
~Masato

18 Feb 02 - 07:46 PM (#653013)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)

Our family always sang this song when the new moon was in the sky. When I got old enough to wonder about it, they said, "Oh, it's just an old poem." I had it worked out that it had been printed in some early magazine or newspaper as a poem. But the tune that got put to it is very dreamy- very much a lullaby. I'm very glad to find out who MIGHT have written it- to me it sounds Victorian or turn-of-the-century in its style, both lyric and music.

04 Nov 08 - 01:01 PM (#2484639)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh mother how pretty the moon looks toni
From: GUEST,Sarah

The title of the song or poem your referring to is "The New Moon" by Mary Howitt, my grandmother sang it to me as a child as well-it is a darling lullaby.