Blue Moon
As in, “Once in a … ,” meaning a rare event. You no doubt remember that a Blue Moon is the second occurrence of a full moon during a calendar month. It happens every 2-1/2 years, or so. We got a beautiful view of this year’s Blue Moon last night, on New Year’s Eve. The image is of the full moon on December 2, taken by Stephano De Rosa in Turin, Italy. (I hope he doesn’t mind a slight copyright infringement.)
Do you remember Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of the classic ballad by Rogers and Hart?
Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care forAnd then there suddenly appeared before me
The only ones my arms would hold
I heard someone whisper please adore me
And when I looked to the moon it turned to gold
Bet you didn’t know that I sang that song in public in 1949. Didn’t think so. Well, my senior year in high school I played lead alto sax and clarinet in a dance band. The name of the band was The StarDreamers.. When we played Blue Moon, we sometimes sang a verse or two to make our lead singer, we called her Jellybeans, sound better. Worked every time. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
So now you know that the “blue” in Blue Moon also refers to an emotional state, and since I am in one of my melancholy moods this morning, I thought I’d reminisce a little for your amusement.
Dave, crooning quietly to hisself, “Blooo Moooon, …
So now I’ve already learned something new this first day of the New Year… My Dad sang a song I know well in his h.s band(!) and their lead singer was called jellybean.
Love the idea of a Blue Moon, and saw the real thing last night.
You mean you believed me? (And you’re too young to know Blue Moon… aren’t you?)
I know the lyrics by heart, but it was fun to see them written out. I’ve always said I was born too late. Music of the 40’s & 50’s are some of my favorites. Love Ella. Artie, Benny, Glen and the rest.
I am amazed! My dad the singer… in public…. can’t quite wrap my mind around that! Thanks for sharing. Keep the memories coming….. and the blue moon was lovely! Even rarer on New Year’s Eve!
Who said anything about being a singer! Please unwrap your mind.
On second thought, you should hear my rendition of “Old MacDonald’s Farm.”
Or maybe you shouldn’t.
Interesting story, which is given a bit of uncertain piquancy by Dad’s veiled disclaimers…
I do like that song, though!
Are you asking me to remove the veil?