Moon Shadows Light the Sky

Moon Shadow

 by Cat Stevens
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Yes, I'm being followed

By a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Leaping and hopping
On a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow

And if I ever lose my hands
Lose my plow, lose my land
Oh, if I ever lose my hands
Oh, if...
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, if...
I won't have to cry no more

Yes, I'm being followed
By a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Leaping and hopping
On a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow

And if I ever lose my legs
I won't moan and I won't beg
Oh if I ever lose my legs
Oh if...
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 if...
I won't have to talk...

Did it take long to find me
I asked the faithful light
Did it take long to find me
And are you going to stay
The night?

I'm being followed
By a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Leaping and hopping
On a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow

Moon shadow moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow

The composer of this song and lyrics, Cat Stevens is reported to have said that he wrote this song because as a child in London he never saw such a sight. "I was on the edge of the water on a beautiful night with the moon glowing, and suddenly I looked down and saw my shadow. I thought that was so cool, I'd never seen it before." Many others have heard this song in the more than 30 years since it first was created and have attributed spiritual and metaphorical meanings to it.

His song, and others he wrote and performed, seem to address universal themes of  longing, love, the search for truth in life; his vocal style underscores a sense of soul, a commitment to spirit. Falling ill to Tuberculosis as a young man, his thoughts turned to eastern philosophies. Through the time of his convalescence, he felt as if a child once more. He had been cured of his illness and was free to live his life in a way he had not before, with a child-like innocence. Finally finding what he was looking for, his craftmanship and musical ability no longer pleased him; he turned his thoughts to God.