Haiku Trivia

How A Song from 1944

“Moonlight In Vermont”

Became a HAIKU!

Moonlight in Vermont, the popular song about the U.S. state of Vermont was written and published in 1944 by John Blackburn (lyricist) and Karl Suessdorf (music).

The song was introduced by Margaret Whiting in a ’44 recording.

History of how this song’s chorus became a Haiku!

The lyrics of Moonlight In Vermont were unusual in the fact that they did not rhyme. Back in the day, lyrics to songs always rhymed. John Blackburn, the lyricist, has been quoted as saying, “After completing the first 12 bars of the lyric, I realized there was no rhyme and then said to Karl, ‘Let’s follow the pattern of no rhyme throughout the song.’ It seemed right.” The lyrics are also unconventional in that each verse (not counting the chorus) is a haiku!

(Verse 1 ~ haiku)
Pennies in a stream
Falling leaves a sycamore
Moonlight in Vermont

(Chorus)
Telegraph cables, they sing down the highway
And travel each bend in the road
People who meet in this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized by the lovely…

Verse 2 ~ haiku)
Icy finger waves
Ski trails on a mountain side
Snowlight in Vermont

Chorus:
Telegraph cables, they sing down the highway
And travel each bend in the road
People who meet in this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized by the lovely…

Verse 3 ~ haiku
Evening summer breeze
Warbling of the meadowlark
Moonlight in Vermont

Chorus:
Telegraph cables, they sing down the highway
And travel each bend in the road
People who meet in this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized by the lovely…

This song was considered the unofficial state song of Vermont and was frequently played as the first dance song at Vermont wedding receptions.

Moonlight in Vermont by Frank Sinatra

Moonlight in Vermont by Margaret Whiting