The moon is up, the stars are bright.
the wind is fresh and free!
We're out to seek the gold tonight
across the silver sea!
The world is growing grey and old:
break out the sails again!
We're out to see a Realm of Gold
beyond the Spanish Main.
We're sick of all the cringing knees,
the courtly smiles and lies
God, let Thy singing channel breeze
lighten our hearts and eyes!
Let love no more be bought and sold
for earthly loss or gain;
We're out to seek an Age of Gold
beyond the Spanish Main.
Beyond the light of far Cathay,
beyond all mortal dreams,
Beyond the reach of night and day
Our El Dorado gleams,
Revealing - as the skies unfold -
A star without a stain,
The Glory of the Gates of Gold
beyond the Spanish Main.
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Comments
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The Moon is up
From guest Martin Burton (aka Vel Martyn magician) (contact)
I remember this from my schooldays around 1963-64 as I recall the tune is Auld Lang Syne. It's great to such a piece of nostalgia stll recognised for the right reasons. A classic poem/song that i'm sure will endure for years to come. I have made sure my children know it. To me it's inspiration to leave behind all the bad things and strive to attain a higher goal -
THE MOON IS UP
From guest anne (contact)
I learned this poem in high school back in the 50'a. It is always on mymind when I see the moon up for the evening. So had to check out the exact words. -
The Spanish Main
From guest Mandy Young(nee Markwick) (contact)
I learned this as a song, The Spanish Main. It was in 1964 at school in Harwich, Essex. I was in our school choir when we sang this at an inter-school comp in Colchester, we came 2nd. I have never forgotten the words, but nice to see it on-line. -
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Me too
I sang this also in our school chorus (see orginal posting below). Would you happen to know if there's a recording of it somewhere?
MikeB
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The Moon... Sir Francis Drake
From guest Kurt Bloch Petersen (contact)
I remembered only the four first lines from my english book in high scool in 1968 in Thisted Denmark. It started a lesson,about Sir Francis Drake and described the fight between England and ??? very well.
MOD MESSAGE
That's probably between England and Spain. -
The Moon is Up
From guest Alice Worth (nee Williams) (contact)
62 Years ago I recited this poem at the School Eisteddfodd in Colwyn Bay, N.Wales. At a rehearsal in front of my House teacher and some 6 form pupils, when I got to "Our El Dorado gleams" one of the boys shouted out "stop me and buy one". El Dorado was the name of the local ice cream. Everyone fell about laughing, including the teacher, and I have never forgotten it. I won first prize and managed to get past the El Dorado bit without laughing. Happy Days. I was just 13. -
Alfred Noyes
From guest Tammy (contact)
I learned and recited this poem for a poetry recital at school and won a prize when I was 11... only 20 years ago! I have fond memories of Alfred Noyes poetry fom my childhood, he is one of my Mum's favourites. This one and Daddy Fell In The Pond evoke particularly vivid, happy memories -
The Moon is up
From guest Marc (contact)
I learn this poem when I was a girl in the islands, but I only remembered the first verse - today I found the remainder of it and I have to say it brought back a lot of memories which I shall share with my sisters later today. -
From guest Joyce Shuter (contact)
Like other comments, My Twin sister and I learned this Poem during the second world war at Beech Hill School in Luton, and all our children have learned to quote the first line, wonderful poem. -
Reading this today with the US election in the offing, Noyes' words took on a new meaning for me. It may not be the message he intended but a young candidate is out to seek the gold tonight and he believes an El Dorado gleams in his future.
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From guest Kathleen Faley (contact)
I have read and recited this poem to my children (who are now aged 31, 29, 27 & 17) at bathtime and bedtime as young toddlers to their pre-teen years. it brings back happy family memories to them when they hear it now, this I know because they tell me so. I did not know who wrote it as it was among a collection of poems and verses for young children. I liked the lilt to it and the sense of authenticity, freedom and adventure, turning away from artificiality, falseness and fear of going beyond the known into the unknown. -
The Moon is Up
From guest Charles Hadfield (contact)
I learnt this at school in Kent in the early 1960s and recited it at the Sevenoaks Three Arts festival, winning the verse-speaking prize! I was 10 or 11 years old. Until I used google just now, I could only remember the first few lines, and had substituted 'sail for France' for 'seek for gold' but perhaps that's because in my teens and twenties we used to sail a fair bit in the Channel... strange how memories play tricks. It's a much better poem than i thought it would be, nearly fifty years on! -
The Moon Is Up
From guest Burleigh Reid (contact)
I learned this poem in 1961 attending Wesley College in Belize City, Belize. I remembered the first and last verse but not the second one. I am glad that I found it again. -
The Moon Is Up
From guest Pearl Gennaro (contact)
I was evacuated to Bedford during WWII and learned this in school about 1943. I was about 12 or 13, I am now 77 but I still remember it. -
The Moon Is Up
From guest Carole Selby (contact)
I recited this poem at school 50 years ago and won praise from a very strict and stern teacher. I have not been able to find it again. I too thought it was called El Dorado. I found it a very stirring poem which exited me. -
The Moon is up
From guest Elizabeth Stewart (contact)
I always thought it was called El Dorado at least in the UK. My mother told me it as a small child,and I read it myself. I can feel the wind in the sails and the joy to be free in the words, very uplifting. -
The Moon is Up
From guest Margaret Tyrrell (contact)
I, too, learnt this poem as a child - about age 13, in the early 1960's. I always thought its title was El Dorado, and, like another contributor, was surprised to learn its true author. -
Adventure Anyone?
Clearly Alfred Noyes was no couch potato!
Cheerily,
Charley Noble -
Choral Song
This poem was set to music and I sang it in my 9th-grade chorus. I heard a recording of it once on the radio and am looking for any link to where I might find a recording.
Thanks
MikeB -
The moon is up the stars are bright; Poem.
From guest Godfrey Walters (contact)
I learned this poem during school. I am 67 years old This poem was written long before 2004! Unless there is another poem that starts the same way. Actually I thought it was an Alfred Tennyson poem but of course that is what my memory said. -
Bravo!
This is a wonderfully evocative poem, full of splendor and wonder!
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