“Moonshadow” by Cat Stevens, arranged with tab for fingerstyle guitar by Daryl Shawn.
“Moonshadow” is a song written and performed by Cat Stevens (known since 1978 as Yusuf Islam), first released as a single in the UK in 1970 on the Island label and in the US in 1971 on the A&M label. It also appears on Stevens’ 1971 album Teaser and the Firecat.
Stevens considers this his favourite of his old songs. When Yusuf appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour in 2009, he said of this song:
“I was on a holiday in Spain. I was a kid from the West End [of London] – bright lights, et cetera. I never got to see the moon on its own in the dark, there were always streetlamps. So there 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.”
An animated short featuring the song was part of the Fantastic Animation Festival feature film released in 1977.The animation begins with a still frame of Teaser and his pet Firecat, pictured as they appear on the cover of the album bearing their names. The picture comes to life, and in the course of the animation, they find the fallen Moon, ride on it as it flies, and find a way to replace it in the sky. The beginning and ending story portions were written by Cat Stevens and narrated by Spike Milligan. The video also appears as a special feature on the Majikat Concert DVD.
In May 2012 Moonshadow, a new musical by Yusuf, featuring music from throughout his career, opened at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. The show received mixed reviews and closed four weeks early.
The song appears as “Moon Shadow” on both the UK and US labels of the single release.
Yes, 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 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 colours 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 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
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 ask the faithful light
Oh, did it take long to find me?
And, are you gonna stay the night?
I’m being followed by a moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow
Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow
Moonshadow, moonshadow
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