STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT
Type
Song
Composer
Victor Herbert
Lyricist
Harry B. Smith
Publisher
Edward Schuberth & Co.
Notes
Waltz song from the operetta "The Wizard of the Nile." The fact that the song has nothing to do with the Middle East in spite of the show's title was a common circumstance with these show tunes.

The domestic bliss of verse two, with a wife about to ask her husband for shopping money, is contrasted in verse three with speculation on the heavyweight boxing bout between Robert Fitzsimmons and James J. Corbett in Carson City, Nev. in 1897. Two years later "Fitz" lost to another "Jim," James J. Jeffries, at Coney Island, New York.
Lyrics

When sitting alone at eventide
And watching the stars peep out,
If you mind you are vexing with something perplexing
That worries and makes you doubt,
If jealousy mocks and teases you Of someone that's far away,
To the first star the peers, just confide all your fears,
And this little formula say:

CHORUS:
Star light, star bright,
Very first star I see tonight,
Tell me, tell me all I wish to know.
Does the girl that I adore,
Love me less or love me more?
Star light, star bright,
Tell me is it so?

You come home at night and wife's smile is bright,
She will give you a loving kiss.
You sit down to dine and the dinner is fine;
'Tis a case of domestic bliss.
She brings you your slippers, your best cigars;
With affection she holds your hand.
She sits on your knee, she is sweet as can be,
But why you cannot understand.

Star light, star bright,
Very first star I see tonight,
Tell me, tell me all I wish to know.
All this kindness is too much,
This must be a case of "touch."
Star light, star bright,
Tell me is it so?

In the papers we've seen all the news there has been
Of a certain prospective fight.
They've flooded the nation with rash conversation
Till the public is wearied quite.

They travelled as "stars"; They've quarrelled in bars;
They tried each other's noses to pull;
But when they take hold they'll find I am told
That they both have their hands pretty full.

Star light, star bright,
Very first star I see tonight,
Tell me, tell me all I wish to know.
If ever they do put on the mitts,
Will "Fitz" have "Jim," or "Jim" have "Fitz?"
Star light, star bright,
Tell me is it so?