Moonlight in Vermont (song)

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"Moonlight in Vermont" is a popular song about the U.S. state of Vermont, written by John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf and published in 1943.[1]

The lyrics are unusual in that they do not rhyme. John Blackburn, the lyricist, has been quoted as saying, "After completing the first 12 bars of the lyric, I realized there was no rhyme and then said to Karl, 'Let’s follow the pattern of no rhyme throughout the song. It seemed right.'"[2]

The lyrics are also metrically interesting in that each verse (not counting the bridge) is a haiku. The song is considered an unofficial state song of Vermont and is frequently played as the first dance song at Vermont wedding receptions.

The song was first introduced by Margaret Whiting in a 1944 recording.[1] The song was also recorded by Jo Stafford in 1946, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in 1956, Frank Sinatra in 1957, Sarah Vaughan in 1958, Earl Grant in 1961, and Willie Nelson in 1978. (Captain Beefheart's song "Moonlight on Vermont", on his 1969 album Trout Mask Replica, is unrelated.)

There are few sycamore trees in Vermont and few meadowlarks; Blackburn, who wrote the lyrics, was from Ohio.

[edit] Cover versions

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Jazz Standards, Songs and Instrumentals [1]
  2. ^ Sheila Davis (1984) The Craft of Lyric Writing , Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati ISBN 0898791499
  3. ^ The Coasters, One by One Retrieved February 14, 2012.

[edit] External links

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