Pyrmont poesy

Current mood: Poetic
Current music: 'Moonlight in...' Well, you'll see

In a recent spate of haiku writing (blame Edsters; it was his idea), I thought I'd turn my attention to rewriting the lyrics of the old jazz standard, 'Moonlight in Vermont'. This wonderful song was written almost entirely in haikus, apart from the middle section. It has been recorded by so many big names in jazz that one is quite amazed that any more can be added to the list. Originally recorded by Margaret Whiting in 1944, it has since been covered by Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and many, many more. I don't pretend to have heard all of these different versions - one would probably get a little tired of it after hearing it fifty times in a row, no matter how creatively it is interpreted each time.

So for a little variation, I've come up with 'Moonlight in Pyrmont', which is set not in America but in Australia. Pyrmont is one of Sydney's inner-city suburbs (isn't that a bit oxymoronic?) and, conveniently, is only two letters off from 'Vermont', hence my choice. Consider this to be my tribute to Sydney, which I visited briefly a few weeks ago and fell in love with completely.* The weather was simply fantastic. The skies were clear almost every day, and the generous amounts of sunlight made everything very photogenic - the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the city skyline, the beaches, and of course the deep blue sea. I am not done with Sydney yet, and will definitely be going back for more!

And now, without further ado... 'Moonlight in Pyrmont'.

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MOONLIGHT IN PYRMONT
(2007)

By Aureala

Sung to the tune of 'Moonlight in Vermont' (1943)
by John Blackburn & Karl Suessdorf



The candied lights of the city shimmer beneath
Sydney Harbour Bridge

Picture taken from: http://www.bridgeclimb.com/theBridge/bridgephotos.htm

Seagulls in a dream
Twirling down, then up they soar
Moonlight in Pyrmont

Coloured banners sway
City where the stars all shine
Footlights in Pyrmont

Under white arches, they're singing an opera
As we fly 'cross the Bridge overhead
Darling, we'll meet at the sweet Darling Harbour
And we'll sail tonight in the lovely

Lights that catch on waves
Drifting over Cockle Bay
Moonlight in Pyrmont

You and me and moonlight in Pyrmont

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I've followed the feel of the original lyrics quite faithfully; you're welcome to make comparisons. If you're at all familiar with Sydney, see how many place references you can spot...

That's all for now, folks. Until next time, ladies and gents - goodbye and goodnight.

* All right, I like everything except for the flies. And the sharks. And all the poisonous critters that lurk about in unexpected places...