Blue Moon

Above the bed was the lunar glowing IKEA satellite, under the covers was my little son. “Sing me a song mommy, the one about the moon... it goes somping like... I forget.”

I lay down beside him with my arm under his head, and I started,

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 singing a prayer for,
someone I really could care for

I was into the second stanza, as he sang an echo of me, when I realized that I’ve been singing these old jazz standards as lullabies for my babies for about thirteen years. They roll off my tongue as old friends, words I don’t even think about, just a feeling of comfort and joy as I give them to my children. Sometimes I sing them around the house, when I’m not singing along to some classic Nirvana Come as you are... as you were... as i want you to be... as a friend, as a trend... as an old enemy. They just don’t make for good lullabies... (sorry Curt)

And then suddenly
There appeared before me
The only one my arms would ever hold
I heard somebody whisper
Please adore me
And when I looked
The moon had turned to gold

I remember when Chloe, who will be nine next month, would sing with me in the bath at the old house how the room would echo and we would fill the room with steam and song. Though she knew, knows, the words to blue moon, her favourite song is ‘Feelin’ Good (birds flying high... you know how I feel... sun in the sky...) I love that one too, particularly when Nina Simone sings it. I nearly called Chloe Nina when she was born, but obviously, I didn’t.

Each of my older sons had their faves too, but all four children were fond of the simplicity and the singability of Blue moon. They always end up gesturing to the song like pre-school mime. The sing it to me like I am the only love in their lives, and it fills my heart so much it could burst, four times over. Such a simple gift is a song, a lullaby, a hug and a kiss good night.

Blue moon,
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon