Helping campers since 2011
Moonshadow Lyrics
Looking for a classic campfire song? Here are the Moonshadow lyrics.
Moonshadow has a hopeful message, easy-to-learn words and a catchy tune.
It's the perfect song for a family singsong!
This song was written by Cat Stevens and was released in 1971 on his album "Teaser and the Firecat".
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The Moonshadow Lyrics
Oh I'm being followed by a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my lands
Yes, if I ever lose my hands, oh ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
I won't have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colors all run dry
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, oh ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
I won't have to cry no more.
Oh I'm being followed by a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
And if I ever lose my legs, I won't moan and I won't beg
Yes if i ever lose my legs, oh ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
I won't have to walk no more
And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth north and south
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, oh ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ay
I won't have to talk pause
Did it take long to find me?
I asked the faithful light
Yes, did it take long to find me
And are you gonna stay the night?
Oh I'm being followed by a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow
Moonshadow moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow.
Moonshadow, moonshadow.
So, what is a "Moonshadow"?
Before you spend a lot of time wondering what Moonshadow means, let me tell you that it means just what it sounds like it means: a shadow cast by the light of the moon.
When he was a young man, Cat Stevens went by himself to Spain. On one brightly moonlit night, he was standing at the water's edge.
He had always lived in London, England - a city of streetlights - and had never realized that the moon can cast a shadow. When he looked down and saw his own shadow, he was filled with euphoria. He began dancing ("leaping and hopping") and singing, playing around with the word "moonshadow".
The tune and the Moonshadow lyrics took shape, and a classic song was born.
Is Cat Stevens his real name?
You have probably heard or guessed that "Cat Stevens" is a stage name.
The artist was born "Steven Demetre Georgiou". Realizing that his fans would have a hard time spelling and pronouncing his name, he chose a new one. He added an "s" to his first name and made that his surname. He chose the first name, "Cat" because a girlfriend told him that his eyes looked like a cat's eyes - and because, he reasoned, everyone loves animals.
Stevens changed his name again in the 1970s. After a lifelong spiritual quest, he converted to Islam and took the name "Yusuf Islam". He now devotes his life to humanitarian causes.
"Away" or "Oh if" or "Oh ay"?
By the way, there is one part of the Moonshadow lyrics that puzzles me. I always thought that Cat Stevens was singing, "If I ever lose my hands away......" - but it appears that I was wrong.
The most authoritative sources all say "If I ever lose my hands oh if......".
I have listened to the song over and over, and it just doesn't sound like "oh if" to me at all. It sounds like "oh ay......" so that's what I have written here.
Of course, it's your singsong - so sing whatever you like!
Now that you have the Moonshadow lyrics, check here for more words to songs to sing around the campfire.
Visit the Camping Family home page for lots of information on planning your next camping trip.
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