“The Moving Finger Writes”

Rudolph's Shiny New Year cover.

“The Moving Finger Writes” originally comes from the Rubaiyat.  The Rubaiyat is an ancient book of poetry written by Persian poet Omar Khayyam.

“The Moving Finger writes: and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”

The song that we know today is from the holiday televison special, “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,” and is performed by Red Skelton.

 “The Moving Finger Writes”

The moving finger writes,
And having writ, moves on
You can’t hold back the clock
It just ticks on and on
The moving finger writes
And having writ, moves on
So treasure memories
For what is gone is gone
And though you may sweat and strive
Don’t you know it’s great
Just to be alive
So make every moment count
Rejoice with every dawn
The moving finger writes
And having writ, moves on