The Harvest Moon

                  I.

The harvest moon hangs in the sky

     A mammoth jewel shining;

The earth, clothed in its mystic garb,

     Is just below reclining.

We stroll the byways, hand in hand,

     While thoughts o’ love o’eride us;

The moon, to guide us on our way,

     Walks joyously beside us.

               Refrain

     O, harvest moon

              Shine bright for me;

     But turn your head

              So you won’t see.

     But if you do,

              O, golden sheen,

     Pray do not tell

              What you have seen!

                  II.

At last we stop beneath a tree

     To reassure love’s token;

The moon has also ceased to sail

     Across the skies unbroken.

In vain he tries to penetrate

     To watch the old, old story;

Then slips behind the distant hill

     And leaves us in our glory.

               Refrain

Oct. 19, ‘10