The song known as “Man in the Moon” is a traditional folk piece with roots stretching back centuries. Catalogued within folk music archives under the Roud number 21397 and VWML AW/5/112, this song has journeyed through time, evolving in performance and print yet retaining its whimsical charm. Its presence in various collections and recordings underscores its enduring appeal within the folk tradition.
One of the earliest printed appearances of Man in the Moon is in “Everybody’s Song Book, or, The Saloon Visitor’s Companion,” a London publication dating back to around 1858-61. This inclusion in a saloon songbook suggests the song’s popularity in social settings and its suitability for communal singing and entertainment of the era.
Further solidifying its place in folk history, Man in the Moon was also collected by the diligent folklorist Alfred Williams. His manuscript collection, housed at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML) under reference AW/5/112, includes the song. While Williams’ record lacks details on the performer or exact collection date, its inclusion in his archive is a testament to the song’s presence in the oral tradition of the time, particularly in regions like Wiltshire, where it also appears in local collections [Wiltshire 377].
In more recent times, Man in the Moon song has experienced a revival through contemporary folk musicians. The Full English, a notable folk ensemble, recorded an abridged version for their self-titled album in 2013. Their rendition, available on “The Full English” album from Topic Records, draws inspiration from a tune played by Scan Tester, a celebrated traditional musician featured on the Topic anthology “I Never Played to Many Posh Dances.” This connection to Scan Tester’s music links the modern performance back to established roots of English folk music.
The lyrics of Man in the Moon, as transcribed from the Alfred Williams Manuscript Collection, offer a playful and slightly satirical look at the titular celestial figure. The song begins with a relatable predicament – being asked for a song when unprepared – and humorously pivots to the “Man in the Moon” as a subject, claiming to know as much about songwriting as about this enigmatic lunar resident.
The verses proceed to paint a whimsical picture of the Man in the Moon’s solitary and peculiar existence. He is depicted as living an isolated life, devoid of companionship (“no wife, no friends, no children to kiss”), and constantly shifting his dwelling through the lunar phases. Despite this seemingly lonely existence, the lyrics also attribute a certain elevated status to him, noting that “none move in such a high circle as he,” even beyond nobles in their balloons.
The song further delves into the imagined personality of the Man in the Moon, pondering if he might be “moonstruck” or out of his mind. It humorously dismisses love as a cause for his possible madness due to his solitude. Instead, it suggests a more roguish character, implying a fondness for drink (“always looks best when seen through a glass”) and perhaps a nocturnal revelry, “roaming about” and singing with the stars until daylight.
Man in the Moon Lyrics – Alfred Williams MSS Version
When a bumper is filled, it is vexing, no doubt,
To find when you rise that the wine has run out;
And sure ’tis an equally unpleasant thing,
To be asked for a song when you’ve nothing to sing.
I could try something old, if an old one would do,
But the world it is craving to have something new,
What to select for the words or the tune,
I, in fact, know no more than the Man in the Moon.
The Man in the Moon a new light on us throws;
He’s a man we all talk of but nobody knows;
And though a high subject, I’m getting in tune—
I’ll just have a turn at the Man in the Moon.
The Man in the Moon must lead a queer life,
With no-one around him, not even a wife,
No friends to console him, no children to kiss,
No chance of his joining a party like this.
He changes his house each quarter unpleasant,
Living first in a circle and then in a crescent;
If he rents by these quarters so fast going by,
I should think he is rented uncommonly high;
But he’s used to high life, for all circles agree,
That none move in such a high circle as he,
And though nobles go up in their royal balloon,
They can’t get introduced to the Man in the Moon.
’Tis said that some people are moonstruck, we find,
And the Man in the Moon may be out of his mind,
But it can’t be for love, for he’s quite on his own—
No girls there to meet him by moonlight alone;
It can’t be ambition, for rivals he’s none—
At least he is only eclipsed by the sun,
And though in his prospects overclouded he sees,
The Man in the Moon can make light of all these.
In drinking, I fear, he may sometimes surpass,
For he always looks best when seen through a glass;
And in smoking, though you may smoke morning and noon,
You can’t blow a cloud like the Man in the Moon!
He’s a mighty sad rake, he don’t rise till it’s dark,
When the night it sets in he sets out for a lark;
Goes roaming about and sings with the spheres,
“We won’t go home till morning, till daylight appears.”
He looks in at the stars that go shooting up there,
Lets loose the Dog Star to bait the Great Bear;
At the Milky Way calls for a minute or two,
Has some milk but don’t pay, ’cos he swears ’tis sky blue;
But daylight soon takes the shine out of him quite,
He goes home and gets into bed by sunlight,
And though you may think him a regular spoon,
You’d be plagued to get over the Man in the Moon.
The Full English’s version, while abridged, retains the core humor and whimsical nature of the song. Their rendition, featuring a chorus, emphasizes the “Man in the Moon” as a figure both talked about and unknown, bringing a slightly more structured and sing-along quality to the performance suitable for a band arrangement.
Man in the Moon Lyrics – The Full English Version
When a bumper is filled, it is vexing, no doubt,
To find when you rise that the wine has run out;
And sure it’s an equally unpleasant thing
To be asked for a song when you’ve naught left to sing.
I could sing something old, if an old one would do,
But the world it is craving to have something new.
But what to select for the words or the tune?
I, in fact, know no more than the Man in the Moon.
Chorus (after each verse):
The Man in the Moon a new light on us throws,
He’s a man we all talk of but nobody knows.
And though a high subject, I’m getting in tune,
I’ll just sing a song for the Man in the Moon.
’Tis said that some people are moonstruck, we find,
But the Man in the Moon must be out of his mind.
But it can’t be for love for he’s quite on his own,
No ladies to meet him by moonlight alone.
It can’t be ambition, for rivals he’s none,
At least he is only eclipsed by the sun,
But when drinking, I say, he is seldom surpassed,
For he always looks best when he’s seen through a glass.
The Man in the Moon he must lead a queer life,
With no one around him, not even a wife,
No friends to console him, no children to kiss,
No chance of his joining a party like this.
But he’s used to high life, for each all circles agree,
That none move in such a high circle as he,
And though nobles go up in their royal balloon,
They’re not introduced to the Man in the Moon.
In conclusion, the Man in the Moon song stands as a charming example of traditional folk music, offering a glimpse into both historical social entertainment and enduring lyrical themes. From its printed appearances in the 19th century to its revival by contemporary artists, the song continues to fascinate and entertain, proving the timeless appeal of whimsical narratives and enduring melodies within the folk tradition. Its playful exploration of a familiar yet mysterious figure in the “Man in the Moon” ensures its continued resonance with audiences who appreciate the rich tapestry of folk music.
