What kind of music drifts across the mountain ridge above the tiny rural Alabama town of Eden, and what are the secrets hidden on the mountain paths, under the ancient trees, and under the mysterious moon of Moonlight Ridge?
Discover a family history filled with a legacy of curiosity, courage and delightful eccentricity, in a setting where the natural fauna and flora of the woods of Alabama create a wonderland for two unusual children.
Can you hear children's voices, singing and laughing as they dance beneath sweet gum, dogwood, and sycamore trees, with the gentle Alabama breeze murmuring leafy music around them?
Wouldn't you like to see what these two precocious cousins see, hear the whispery secrets, and feel the ancient magic in the deep woods and on dusty red-dirt trails, as they look for answers and follow their hearts 'out on the mountain?'
All these secrets and mysteries come to life on the pages of
Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge.
Read it and discover an enchanted world you'll not soon forget.
Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge
by
Ramey Channell
New edition now available for all ebook readers
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Ramey and all the Moonlight Ridge Possums have been very busy during this changing of seasons. With speaking engagements, book signings, and book talks in Vestavia, at the Mountain Brook Emmett O'Neal Library, and with The Pensters of Fair Hope, Alabama, we have met so many sweet folks who are interested in the magic and music on Moonlight Ridge.
Hope to have pictures posted soon, and good news is just around the corner! The second volume in the chronicles of Moonlight Ridge is in the works! News about the upcoming sequel will be posted here.
Wishing everyone Happy Reading for the holidays!
A few weeks back, I hosted a contest here on Moonlight Ridge. Originally, I asked three questions about some of the songs featured in Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge, with a free copy of the book, like a carrot on a stick, to the first person to get all three answers!
Then, upon considering the possibilities of short-term memory loss and the possible unfairness of excluding those who had not yet read the book, I changed the rules (It's my contest, I can do that) so that anyone who left a comment was entered in the drawing for the free book.
Kelley who blogs at
So, for anyone who may still be curious about the songs in question, here are the answers.
1- After chasing the hunting dogs, Rich Man and Poor Man, out of the house, what song did Great-granddaddy W.T. Greenberry sing to his marsupials?
Great Granddaddy W.T. sang Dona Nobis Pacem,
but in his version the words were "Oh, don't I know this possum?"
2 - What is the origin, title, or some of the words, of the strange song the children heard while they were in the woods near Grind Rock Spring?
Lily Clair and Willie T. heard somone singing Desdemona's Song, also known as Willow, Willow, from William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.
7 Comments on The Songs of Moonlight Ridge, last added: 8/25/2011
This is your personal invitation to join us at the
Springville Road Regional Library
Sunday March 27th at 3:00 PM
for a special book program, discussion and booksigning.
Check out the announcement on the
Birmingham Public Library's Latest News, Reviews & Info
Thanks to all my special friends and fans of Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge.
I look forward to a fun afternoon with lots of smiling faces and maybe a few surprises.
I've never heard Desdemona's Song, but it doesn't sound real cheerful.
I like your illustration for the Au Clair de la Lune song. However, it is a little confusing that it's sang to the tune of some other song with a long title that I've never heard. I guess it makes it more complex. Maybe having a recording done of someone singing these song who is familiar with the tunes would help the reader understand what your gettin' at.
I tried to post the names of the songs before, but the post wouldn't take. Henry Hope and Willie T. were awful smart to know both the Willow song and Au Clair de la Lune. - JR
You're right, Anonymous. Desdemona's song (Willow, Willow) is rather mournful.
And, JR, our part of the country just seems to breed smart people!
The truth is, many old Appalachian songs, such as Willow, Willow, began as centuries old English songs.
Did I do this a while back? I forgot what my answers were then. Also, your followers are still on your page.
Susan @ Blackberry - It doesn't matter what your answers were, though they were unique and entertaining! If you actually read the post above, I'm giving you (and everyone else) the anwers. You don't have to do nothin' but read the answers.
My dear Ramey, I knew the answers to all those questions! But I became distracted and failed to send in my response! Now, I'll have to purchase another copy of Sweet Music; Mother still has mine in Savannah.