This Flight Tonight

Posted by Lewis July 03, 2003In reply to Starlight, starbright --- it's origin, it's entirety posted by Henry on July 02, 2003

did this begin as a child's bedtime prayer? what is it's
origin? where can I find it in it's entirety? thank you.

"Star light, Star bright,
the first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
have the wish I wish tonight."
-- Author Unknown

Or:
I see specks, specks see me,
I'll see somebody tomorrow
I don't expect to see.
Star light, star bright,
Very first star I see tonight,
Tell me, tell me, all I wish to know.
Does the one that I adore
Love me less or love me more?
Star light, star bright, tell me, is it so?
From _The Annotated Mother Goose_ by Wm. S. Baring-Gould & Cecil Baring-Gould

That is the Devon minister the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould. What a wonderful name! He published his Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes in 1895.
The phrase was echoed by Joni Mitchell in 1971 in This Flight Tonight on her album Blue;

Oh starlight, star bright
You got the loving that I like alright
Turn this crazy bird around
I shouldn't have got on this flight tonight.

Wasn't "This Flight Tonight" by Nazareth?