The moon is alluded to, used as a symbol, and reverenced in mythology, literature, and music. One usage is that of the Blue Moon. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, a Blue moon happens “whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a “Blue Moon.” In our lexicon, we describe an unusual event as happening “Once in a Blue Moon.” This site has a blue moon calculator if you’d like to know when the next one is. If you’re interested in the folklore associated with the Blue Moon, go to this site.
Once again, my Americana cable station caused me to latch onto a new song. This is by Nanci Griffith, and the beautiful song is entitled, “Once in a Very Blue Moon.” I’ve posted it with the lyrics and chords. You can purchase it on iTunes (and I just heard that iTunes is lowering prices on many songs!). Nanci Griffith’s Web page is here:
Once in a Very Blue Moon written by Patrick Alger & Gene Levine
D A G
I found your letter in my mailbox today
D A G A
You were just checkin’ if I was okay
D A
And if I still miss you
G
Well you know what they say
G A D(walk to Bm)
Just once in a very blue moon
G A D
Just once in a very blue moon
G A Gbm Bm
Just once in a very blue moon
G A D
And I feel one comin’ on soon
No need to tell me you’d like to be friends
And help me get back on my feet again n
And do I still miss you?
Well it’s just now and then
Just once in a very blue moon
Just once in a very blue moon
Just once in a very blue moon
And I feel one comin’ on soon
G Gbm Bm
There’s a blue moon shinin’
G A
When I’m reminded
G A
Of all we’ve been through
G A Gbm Bm
Such a blue moon shinin’
E A
Does it ever shine down on you?
Oh, ’cause you act like
It never even hurt you at all
And I’m the only one
Gettin’ up from a fall
Tell me you dont feel it
Oh can’t you recall
Just once in a very blue moon
Just once in a very blue moon
Just once in a very blue moon
And I feel one comin’ on soon
Just once in a very blue moon.
From the time I heard her voice on Austin City Limits in the 80s, Nanci Griffith has been one of my favorites, one of the few whose entire discography resides on my shelf and gets played fairly regularly. Her music covers the human situations, soothes, asks, explains and laughs, once in a while fills the eyes with tears, then encourges. Whether by herself or with the Blue Moon Orchestra, she’s worth going to see; all her albums are great. The people on her fan email list are ‘the nicest people on the Net’, as it’s been said a few times. Good choice, sir, to spotlight “our aNGel”.
I like your analysis and mannner of speaking, thank you for this interesting ticcket, it s always nice to visit this beautiful blog 🙂