The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NIGHT TIME CHANT

MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SIT ON HER FRONT PORCH ON
SUMMER NIGHTS AND CHANT:
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT,
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT,
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.

Submitter comment: FOR A WHILE SHE CHANGED THE LAST LINE TO "I WISH WE'D
GET A PIANO TONIGHT." HER FATHER GOT SO SICK OF HEARING
THAT EVERY DAY AND NIGHT, THAT ONE DAY HE FINALLY WENT
OUT AND BOUGHT THEM A PIANO. THEN THE WISH OF MY
GRANDMOTHER AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAME TRUE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-31-1971