Moonshadow

[purplemoon]

I was just flipping through my poetry files recently and
found this poem by the Chinese poet Li Bai (also sometimes
called Li Bo or Li Po, 701 - 762 CE):


DRINKING ALONE WITH THE MOON

A pot of wine among the flowers.
I drink alone, no friend with me.
I raise my cup to invite the moon.
He and my shadow and I make three.

The moon does not know how to drink;
My shadow mimes my capering;
But I'll make merry with them both -
And soon enough it will be Spring.

I sing - the moon moves to and fro.
I dance - my shadow leaps and sways.
Still sober, we exchange our joys.
Drunk - and we'll go our separate ways.

Let's pledge - beyond human ties - to be friends,
And meet where the Silver River ends.



I wonder: Did Steven read this on the beach in Spain
shortly before composing Moonshadow?

[Vivian]

I suppose it's possible. Of course, that would depend on what year this poem was written.

Peace,Vivian

[purplemoon]

The poem was written 1300 years ago. Here's a picture
of the author.

I really like Jason Mraz's attitude about this:
"WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL."

All --- ALL --- artists "steal." Usually they call it "inspiration."
It's a very rare occurance when a poem or piece of music
"writes itself." I admire the fact that Yusuf has refused to
be a party to record company disputes about musical plagarism.
What a stupid pissing contest. ...........

Attachments:

[aurarisma]

I truly believe Steves/Yusufs music was passed thru from God ... and Yusuf is the Vessel ... Period .. no stealing .. lol.. and not all artists do that nor need to do that ... the beauty of the way this song was conceived is so pure ... just loved it when I heard it ~~~ All Blessings from Above... when living in the Kingdom like a Child .. xo

[purplemoon]

In his Redroom Session video of "All Kinds of Roses", Yusuf
says of the song "it kind of wrote itself." To me, the fact
that he makes this statement implies that for him the experience of "channeling" or "receiving" is special and markedly different from the crafting of other songs.

For me, the experience of "receiving" a poem is usually like this:
The words come so quickly that I can barely write or type fast enough to record all of it. The quality of the writing is significantly different from what I ordinarily produce; I have
a clear sense of its otherness. If I do any "editing" at all, it
is immediate, within minutes of the first writing, and only
because I can sense that I made a mistake in the first "transcribing" and know how to fix it.

Most of my poetry and other writings are produced in a different way. I am "inspired" by a strong emotional reaction to something. Writing is my response and it is an effort.
(At present, for example, I am trying to write about events in Egypt.) Whether it is a poem, essay, article or letter --- it is consciously constructed, crafted and revised over time.
And, in constructiing, I always "steal" from other writers.
Any artist who says they don't steal is a liar --- either about the
art or about the stealing.

"Bad artists copy. Great artists steal." --- Pablo Picasso

[peacock]

Well on Majicat he says that he stole a song in order to write "Two Fine People."

But as he says . . . "It's cool, it's mine." (Wild World, LOL)

CORRECTION---that is on MAJIKAT, not on Majicat. Big difference. LOL

[sabina]

Not being granted talents in the artistic direction I can offer no real insight here

However I'm just so grateful that Yusuf can express in music and articulate in his lyrics what I am increasingly aware of in my heart and spirit ............where he gets it all from?I've never wondered..
..but he clearly has a God given gift......and is making the most of it......I can't thank God enough x

[purplemoon]

Feb 5, 2011 21:52:49 GMT -5 peacock said:

Well on Majicat he says that he stole a song in order to write "Two Fine People."

But as he says . . . "It's cool, it's mine." (Wild World, LOL)

When Picasso said "Bad artists copy. Great artists steal.",
it must have been a wry observation about the nature of fame.

He seems to be acknowedging that taking inspiration, ideas, technique or whatever, from other artists, FREELY, without acknowledgment is what ALL artists routinely do -- and should do. Then he jokingly asserts that the only difference between a "bad artist" and a "great artist" is that the great artist gets away with it. That "genius" consists of being more adept at
maintaining the veil in front of the alchemical cauldrons.

No problemo unless you sold your artistic soul to a megalithic record company, so that you have to worry about lawsuits if you appear to have infringed upon someone's copywrite ---er, i mean, copyright.

But yeah man, like Cat Stevens said, it's like totally cool
as long as you steal from yourself. LOLOLLOL

That's hilarious Peacock! Thanks!

[tiffany]

Here's the song "Moonshadow" written in its entirity:

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 plough, 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 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 ask 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

[kaytwo]

"Moonshadow" is simply a re-write of a much eairler tune called "Moonstone".

[peacock]

Mar 21, 2011 21:15:14 GMT -5 kaytwo said:

"Moonshadow" is simply a re-write of a much eairler tune called "Moonstone".

Hm, I'm pretty sure they're two different songs. Thanks for playing.

[richina]

Mar 22, 2011 13:09:04 GMT -5 peacock said:

Mar 21, 2011 21:15:14 GMT -5 kaytwo said:

"Moonshadow" is simply a re-write of a much eairler tune called "Moonstone".

Hm, I'm pretty sure they're two different songs. Thanks for playing.

I'm thinkin' verrrry different songs ;D .....just similar names!

[richina]

In the early Morgan Studios version of Moon shadow:
if he "lost" his hands, he wouldn't have to "fight" no more...
and if he lost his mind, he wouldn't have to "think" no more...

he also was "leapin' and heapin'", as well as "racin' and chasin' " on a moonshadow....

It's funny how some lyrics change and others stay the same. The origins of Cat's songs are fascinating. I think the demos are some of my favorites....so clear, it's as if he's in the room with you!! *sigh*

[greeneyedgirl]

Personally I think the song revolves around his struggle between being an artist love of painting and drawing, being a superstar, and in finding lasting peace with God. In all of these things, he can let them go but want he wants is the peace of God to stay.

[sabina]

:)Nicely put greeneyedgirl .......

[greeneyedgirl]

Thank you

[jzero1]

One of the most wonderful songs, lyric wise.

Find the positive in ALL that happens. No matter what. "So I lose my legs"? "No problem, I wont have to walk any more!"

If only I could look and the problems I encounter like that.