Please Say Goodnight by Gifford MacShane
Sung to the tune of “All Through the Night”
Not familiar with this Welsh carol? Here’s the Kingston Trio’s version of the original. Obviously recorded from vinyl, so the quality is poor, but the harmonies are delicious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaiy6V7h8-E
Midnight now, my head is hanging,
Time to say goodnight.
Voices in my head, stop clanging,
It’s time to say goodnight.
I know there are chapters waiting,
Characters anticipating.
I don’t need your conversating,
Please say goodnight.
Heroes have good deeds to do,
But please say goodnight.
Villains will do evil, too,
But please say goodnight.
Demoiselle is left in peril,
Terrified of all things feral,
I don’t really mean to querul,
But please say goodnight.
Night is gone, the dawn is breaking,
PLEASE say goodnight.
My eyes are fried, my hands are shaking,
PLEASE say goodnight.
If I don’t sleep I will perish,
And your story none will cherish.
Voices, please, it may sound churlish
But PLEASE SAY GOODNIGHT!!!
Gifford MacShane, Author 
Wasn’t familiar with the song so looked it up before I read. Got the Cindy Lauper song of the same title. Tried to fit your lyrics to it…and then I saw your link to the correct song at the bottom. Like the lyrics anyway. 🙂
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Yeah, the Lauper tune is definitely different! Thanks!
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Reblogged this on humanitysdarkerside and commented:
Wonderful description of the addiction of writing.
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‘Please Say Goodnight’, sung to the tune of the Welsh hymn, ‘All Through the Night’, is excellent. The tune, and original hymn (in Welsh) takes me back to the early 1960’s when I was a Girl Guide, on camp. We used to sing, ‘Ar Hyd y Nos’ around the campfire. Quite a different meaning, too!
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Thanks, Milliethon. I remember seeing the original version of “All Through the Night” — wasn’t it more of a lullaby? I learned this version in High School Glee Club and it’s been one of my favorite carols ever since. I love the Kingston Trio’s version — I still listen to it on cassette. (Oops! have I dated myself? and my car?)
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