MOON CAKES AND MOON SONGS. 2024. HAPPY MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL TO ALL

Click the connection below to read 

all the Mooncake and Song postings.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Mooncake%20Festivals

With each picture there is a connection below 

to take you to different posts. Just click it...

Enjoy the moon shine.

Mooncake Festival 2023: What It Means To Celebrate Our Local Harvest Moon

Active

From Freda Hanum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[She's one of the famed girl bands, The Teepees]

Click below each posting to 

connect to mooncake songs 

and festivities through the years:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/mid-autumn-festival-international.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/growing-up-with-moon-symbols-and.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

Wishing you Happy Mooncake Festivities this September 2023.

Mooncake Festival 2022 Singapore: Moon Songs In Chinese & English

Click the 5 links individually to read and watch mooncake stories and videos.

History of Chinese Moon Cakes in Singapore:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/growing-up-with-moon-symbols-and.html

What? Moon Songs from the West?

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

Moon Songs From the East...

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

Bon Jovi Sings an Eastern moon song. 

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

Harvest Moon: When East Meets West - A Combination.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/mid-autumn-festival-international.html

Mid Autumn Festival - Harvest Moon - An International Festival [中秋 - 丰收月是国际性的]

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The Mid-Autumn Festival or Harvest Moon Festival 

is celebrated by almost everyone in the world. 

The article below discusses the nationals that do. 

The song Shine On Harvest Moon explains it too.

''Since January, February, June and July,

S'no time, ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon.

So shine on, shine on harvest moon

For me and my gal/guy...''

The moon is usually a romantic symbol of love.

''Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. 

Then your love would also change.'' 

[Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare].

Image from - twinkl.co.uk [Singapore]

 The Chinese celebrate it traditionally by eating moon-cakes and 

praying to the Moon Goddess for prosperity. Like the roundness 

of the moon, it's for completeness and unity in family.

Shine On Harvest Moon [1955] - The 4 Aces

YouTube Video from 'CatsPjamas1'

Thank You.

Have a grand tong chu pia eating spree everyone.

Cheers.

Connect To Other Moon Festival Postings On This Blog

And Listen To Chinese Songs

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

Neil Young - Harvest Moon [1992]

YouTube video from vikoRock10

Thank you.

Images and YouTube Video - 

In case of copyright issues, will be deleted immediately.

Please inform on Comment page.

Cinema Poster From 'Shine On Harvest Moon'

https://www.cinematerial.com/movies/shine-on-harvest-moon-i37273

'The Moon Represents My Heart' 月亮代表我的心 By Siti Nurhaliza, Bon Jovi & A Malay Version Happy Mid-Autumn 2020 Singapore

Siti Nurhaliza, Bon Jovi, Faye Wong, Andy Lau

(Top/Bottom: Left to right)

UP TO 8,500 VIEWS

The song 'The Moon Represents My Heart' 

was established since 1972 and was not only a Chinese hit but an international one, especially when Teresa Teng carried it in 1977. It was one of the biggest Chinese (Mandarin) songs ever.

The New York Times reported its glory, many famous stars sang it. These vocalists included Bon Jovi, David Achuleta, Kenny G (instrumental version), Katherine Jenkins, Andy Lau, Leslie Cheung, Faye Wong and even Malay pop singer Siti Nurhaliza. 

Siti Nurhaliza sings it with perfect diction, intonation and depth. One is the most accomplished Malaysian singers that I've heard since the 1950's. Her beauty matches her voice. YouTube by 'AFIROL82'. Thank you. I hope you will let it remain.

On the platforms in Singapore there's never a Community Centre festivity without this song. From our local bands, guitar groups and most choirs, the moon seems to represent everyone's heart.

As the years rolled on it became an unofficial anthem for the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival, so it's October guys and you'd probably be hearing this song and its refrain for many times this month. I remember too my grandson leaning it for a concert piece he was in, during his kindergarten days. 

It is also sung in Malay by this young lady. Thanks to Peter Balan.  BULAN MENJADI SAKSI - a truly accurate rendition and translation in Malay. It means 'the moon is my witness'.

The international standing it holds is represented on this post with a version in Malay and a Caucasian lady singing it with an orchestra. 

The words were written by Sun Yi  and music composed by Weng Ching Hsi. There are English lyrics to it but has anyone sung a version*. Could you let us know? Thank you.

Any comment dear reader? 

Enjoy and have a Great Autumn Festival 2020 Singapore.

But keep Covid at bay. If you really need to sing, sing it behind your mask.

Cheers.

*Apparently there is an English version, told to me by good friend Victor Lam, drummer to the Mysterians and lately The Burns. A screen-shot of the video shows below. It's translated and sung by YOJIMBO37.

Thanks to many readers who sent Mid-Autumn greetings via WhatsApp yesterday 1st October, 2020.

Haley Westenra and Shin (World Games 2009): YouTube Video Haley Westenra International. Thank you.

Images and Videos: Google and YouTube. Copyrights belong to rightful owners. Please inform under Comment page below if there is any objection.

Poster Explanation: 'European' = inclusively Caucasians, to encompass the Choirs that have sung it; 'Nur' = Siti Nurhaliza.

Mooncake Festival (城里的月光) In Singapore 2018

As a child, I enjoyed the mooncakes provided by my mother. She would go all the way to North Bridge Road to buy them from a particular shop that was supposed to be selling the best moon-cakes on our island.

When you take a bus to this shop, look out from the window and you will see this huge building with a giant poster hanging on the outside wall, displaying a picture of the prettiest and most famous lady that season, the Queen of the Mooncakes. 

Most of us are familiar with mooncakes and the myriads found commercially today in different colours and shapes (ugh, they get so ugly and tasteless). I go beyond the cakes and try to learn the many Chinese moon songs? Some came from my mother...

Under The Silvery Moon (在银色月光下 俞淑琴) Video from Philopentatonia

Here's a short, short list of Chinese songs with moon themes that could get you going, some classics, some new:

Go After The Moon (月亮走我也走)

Blooming Flowers, Full Moon (月圓花好)

Moonlight In The City (城里的月光)

Moon On the 15th (十五的月亮)
Under The Silvery Moon (在银色月光下 俞淑琴)

Half Moon Rising (半个月亮爬上来)

The Crescent Moon (弯弯的月亮)

Look At The Moon's Face  (你看你看月亮的脸)
Like The Moon, Like The Stars (如月如星)

Wishing We Could Last Forever (但愿人长久)

The Moon Cries Privately (月亮偷着哭)

It Was The Fault Of The Moon (都是月亮惹的祸)

The Moon Represents My Heart (月亮代表我的心)
Western Cool Moon (西凉月) 
Abyss Moon (黄泉月)


A lovely Mid-Autumn Festival to all readers.

Most of the above songs were selected by Peter Wang for a culture and history magazine called, China Whisper.) 

Moon Festival and Moon Symbols. Check them out:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/growing-up-with-moon-symbols-and.html

Images and YouTube Videos

Mid Autumn Festival: 2018 English Moon Songs

Check the different western songs that use the moon 

as symbolic ideals of love,

hate, lust, good, evil, situations and place, etc.

UP TO 3,000 VIEWS, 10 COMMENTS

月亮代表我的心 

Teresa Teng The Moon Represents My Heart.  

"You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. My feelings are real, my love is also real, the moon represents my heart. You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. My feelings will never move, my love will never change, the moon represents my heart. The gentlest of kisses has opened my heart. The deepest of love affairs, I think about it till today. You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. Just think about it, just take a look, the moon represents my heart."

(Translated by George Murphy).

https://www.youtube.com/user/gregorysmurphy

                                        Frank Sinatra Fly Me To The Moon.  Video.

I call them moon songs. Personally, the two best moon songs ever. If you have some in mind, and there are hundreds or thousands of them, whether in English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil or other languages please contribute. My best wishes to all. Watch that moon soon!

With English Lyrics:

Bad Moon Rising
Bad Side of The Moon Blue Moon
Blue Moon of Kentucky
By The Light of The Silvery Moon
Blue Moon

Carolina Moon 
Dark Side of The Moon
Everyone's Gone To The Moon
Heading for the Moon
It's Only a  Paper Moon


Moon at the Window
Moonglow
Moonlight Bay
Moonlight and Roses
Magic Is The Moonlight

Moon River
Moon Above Malaya                                            
Moonshadow
Mr Moonlight
Song About The Moon

Yellow Moon
Brain Damage
Dancing In The Moon
Moon Child
Moon Shadow

Moon Daydream
Moonlight Drive
Maiden of the Cancer Moon
Moon Dance
Dancing In The Moonlight

Pink Moon
Sisters of the Moon
Havana Moon
Dark Moon
Blue Moon Of Kentucky

And of course, Moonlight Sonata!
Nothing specific here about traditions or beliefs but more about songs with that lunar word.

Ah-woohoo!

Images: Google.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 中秋节快乐! 2019 Growing Up With Moon Symbols & Tradition

  UP TO 2,100 VIEWS  

35 CHATS, COMMENTS

"The roundest moon can be seen in autumn. 
It is time for reunions. 
I wish you a happy mid-autumn day and a wonderful life - 1"

"最圆的月亮可以看出，在秋季。现在是时候团聚。祝你中秋一天的精彩生活"

It is the usual greeting this month since the moon-cake festival is here so I thought I would write something significant about this yellow ball in the night sky.  

When I googled, 'moon' it was quite a surprise where I found more than 700 million entries on the subject.  I realised there was nothing much I could write about except my own moon-walk on earth. 

As a child, I didn't bother much about the festival itself because at the age of ten the reason for the celebration was not important. It was only in later years did I learn what the lantern festival meant. But I welcome the delicious moon-cakes and beautiful lanterns that came with the annual hoo-ha. 

"Summer ends, and Autumn comes, 
And he who would have it otherwise 
Would have high tide always and 
A full moon every night - 2 ."

Moon Symbol:

It had been a yearly affair since the 1950's and as far as I could remember my father would take me to Victoria Street to the old Empress Hotel to buy a few bags of tong chu pia home. No, there were no fancy boxes to put them in. 

They came in simple white wrapping paper placed in a brown paper bag with string carriers. Today's moon-cakes are placed in jewel cases that cost a fortune (sixty Singapore dollars for a box of four?)

What I could not forget during the yearly trip to Victoria Street was the same large scroll I saw hanging outside the hotel pillar as I looked up.  There was a painting of a beautiful, slim lady in ancient Chinese costume with the words, "Queen of the Moon Cakes" and behind her the radiantly full moon.

"It was fascination, I know 
Seeing you alone with the moonlight above
Then I touched your hand and next moment... 3."

They probably took her down at the end of the season to be displayed again for the next moon festival.

Now the moon-cake. It was sweetened red bean or lotus seed paste baked within a delicious outer layer. Although it could get stuck between the teeth eating was part of the fun. Also, mooncakes in the 50's were simple, without the exorbitant colours, designs, special names and yucky taste that is found today. 

Up till now, I've always enjoyed the simple dark brown bean-paste inside but without the yolk.  Cut equally into four pieces I could eat only one quarter a day for the next four days.  

"Good behaviour deserves a reward," remarked my mother. "Another four pieces for the next four days, if you behave. Otherwise, I shall eat them myself!" My dad would quietly walk away because he knew the fun was in the buying too.

But I always had my share.

Light Symbol:

I remember the intricate and thin bamboo frames that were shaped into celestial animals and what-have-you, covered by transparent coloured papers making cute lanterns that could be lighted up at night with its tiny candle within. 

"Careful," mother would warn sternly, "a steady hand lights the wick, not the lantern," always warning us that we need to beware of a burn-up if we were careless with the fragile, combustible and bright, luminous magic art pieces.

To me, it didn't matter what the lantern was shaped like. The flickers inside changed colours as I walked the shiny being around. As long as I could carry it in the dark as the proud owner I was happiest. Good that my mother bought three lanterns to distribute to a Malay friend, an Indian neighbour and a pretty girlfriend who lived down the road. 

"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world - 4."

The friends were Hamid, who was so happy to be carrying one with me; the other was Naysar, in his sarong, who ran around the block with his fish lantern shouting, "Ikan, ikan."  He became a little looney I guess with the moon in full bloom.  We didn't think who we were, just children sharing in playful joy.

Nat King Cole; William Shakespeare; P. Ramlee; Hal Borland

The third friend was my heart crusher Mei Li and true to her name she was the prettiest girl in the vicinity. Short-haired, tomboyish, wide-eyed and fun, she readily accepted the butterfly lantern I offered her.

"Engkau laksana bulan, tinggi di-atas kayangan," crooned Hamid in Malay. It was one of P. Ramlee's famous songs and it meant, "Exquisite like the moon, you stand high above the rest." She did.

I've never seen our Malay, Indian and Eurasian boys and girls carrying lanterns with our Chinese children, have you? Well, they do I presume but I didn't see them this year... Let's have more of such fun and moonlit outings.

I enjoyed the moonlight nights very much. Did you?

A Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all in Singapore and across the seas.


NB:
The symbolic allusion to the moon underlines the dominating power of the feminine. So, just to tickle your mind a little, could it be a power to which a little boy may have felt exposed?

This posting especially invites readers to comment on their own moon festival experience.

                                             Fascination: Sung by Nat Cole.

The Moon Cake Festival, Zhong Qiu Jie or Harvest Moon Festival falls on 27th September 2015.

The article is original and under a copyright.

In The Full Moon Flowers Blossom - Yue Yuan, Hua Hao - Zhou Xuan
Song: Yan Hua / Word: Fan Yanqiao

The floating scattered clouds
The bright moon shines as people
Gather today for a happy reunion

Clean and shallow ponds
Mandarin ducks play in the water
Red skirts and emerald caps
Devoted married couples like lotus flowers 
Open in pairs, mutual love between spouses

The soft wind blows onto the beautiful flowers
Blowing with much warmth and affection 
Among the people

(Very close but not literal translation; suitable for the English ear.)

Aeroplane Lantern - 1960's  [Image: Mun Chor Seng (c)]

How mooncakes are packaged today

The frills cost a lot more; a box of four cakes will cost S$60 while an elaborate package of ten will cost S$120.

The mooncakes are filled with lotus n yolk, lotus n cranberries,  lotus n macadamia,  lotus n melon seeds, jasmine, black sesame, etc.

Footnote:

Images: Google, Mun Chor Seng and Personal Collection.

1. Chinese greeting.
2. Hal Borland - Nature journalist, poet, writer.
3. Song; Fascination (1932) sung by Nat Cole; composed by Fermo Dante Marchetti and Dick Manning (English version).  It became pop in later years with the movie, Love in the Afternoon (1957) starring Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper.
4.  William Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night's Dream.
YouTube Video: chakrasXXX.
5. Zhou Xuan: In the Full Moon, Flowers Blossom YouTube Video: cdman88.

SLIP NOTE:
25th September 2015 Friday.

The haze has been bad and has lasted for more than a week. Many Singaporeans stay indoors. Worse, it has gone out of control and many people in the region are suffering from the problem.  Indonesia, who has been providing us with the unwanted great smoke from the sky, doesn't seem to have done much to stop this sky pollution which has been going on for years!

"While the sun struggles to survive its choking cousin
The moaning moon whispers, "Love thy neighbour..."

People who celebrate the Moon Cake Festival will probably be experiencing a Moan Cake Terrible.

TODAY, SINCE TWO DAYS AGO, THE HAZE IS BACK: 26TH AUGUST, 2016.
(An obvious reference to a past hazy sky problem. Now the sky is clear.)