Our tent and telescopes, OSP, Ochoco National Forest, OR

I was inspired to hum this old hobo ballad and change the words a little after a summer observing trip to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. For you musicologists, I added my “observations” to the 1928 recording of Big [...]]]>

Public star party at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

Our tent and telescopes, OSP, Ochoco National Forest, OR

I was inspired to hum this old hobo ballad and change the words a little
after a summer observing trip to Glacier Point in Yosemite National
Park. For you musicologists, I added my “observations” to the 1928
recording of Big Rock Candy Mountain by Harry McClintock. This version
is featured in the movie soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
Feel free to hum along.

One evening as the sun went down and the campfire light was burning
Down the track came a star-girl hiking, and she said “boys I’m not
turning
I’m headed for a land that’s far away, below the starry fountains
So come with me, we’ll go and see the Big Eye Candy Mountains”

In the Big Eye Candy Mountains there’s a land that’s fair and bright
Where the Naglers grow on bushes and you star gaze every night
Where the seeing is fantastic, transparency supreme
On the swan and the bees and the planetary seas
The Milky Way springs where Cygnus wings
In the Big Eye Candy Mountains

In the Big Eye Candy Mountains all the ‘scopes have sturdy legs
And your can use high power when the seeing condition begs
The doubles split so easily, and planetary moons are disks
Oh I’m bound to go where there ain’t no glow
Where the meteors fall, and the wind don’t blow
In the Big Eye Candy Mountains

In the Big Eye Candy Mountains you never change your socks
And the little streams of Fosters Beer come a-trickling down the rocks

The horizon view is full of stars and the zenith darker yet
There’s a universe for you and a galaxy or two
You can starhop all around ‘em with a wide-field view
In the Big Eye Candy Mountains

In the Big Eye Candy Mountains the restrooms are nearby
And you can see the Milky Way above you in the sky
There ain’t no used car dealerships, no streetlights, cars or malls
I’m a-goin’ to stay where I sleep all day
Snuggling in my tent with my favorite gent
In the Big Eye Candy Mountains

I’ll see you soon this comin’ new moon in the Big Eye Candy Mountains