GUELYLANDSONG #1: THE WHOLE OF THE MOON By The Waterboys



Mike Scott, leader of The Waterboys

Every week I'll put a video clip of a song that i never stop enjoying, a piece of the soundtrack of my existence, an oldie goldie, a fav, an unforgettable... For your consideration, and hopefully for your amusement. A bit like those ones you see in the bars at the right of your screen. And, for you dear people, I will find the words as well. Can't wait for your comments!

Now to our subject...

When i heard this one, it was already more then five years old but brand new for my ears. It was 1991 And me, kind of new in Sweden. Sharing with a bunch of guys a collective apartment in a small town called Oxelösund.
 The look of The Waterboys was cool (and cold the pictures) each one kind of different, as if they were form different bands. I was impresed because they were so many and talented like in a little orchestra. It was not the typical 80's song.
Mike Scott is the leader and only permanent member of this, other always, changing formations band.
 

The song tell us about someone better then us that we like and admire. For each "I" doing something there is a "You" doing it better:

"I saw the crescent (phase),

you saw the whole of the moon!"

It's like a sincere, humble, and open but somehow enigmatic homage. A tribute to perhaps some artist or friend of the author of the tune (Mike Scott, the vocalist). I cherish the idea of no envy but admiration because this enhance our chances for learning and amazement.

THE WHOLE OF THE MOON

THE WATERBOYS - The Best of The Waterboys 81-90 (1991)

I pictured a rainbow
You held it in your hands
I had flashes
But you saw then plan
I wondered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

You were there at the turnstiles
With the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars
And you know how it feels
To reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!

I was grounded
While you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truths
You cut through lies
I saw the rain-dirty valley
You saw brigadoon
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!

I spoke about wings
You just flew
I wondered, I guessed, and I tried
You just knew
I sighed
But you swooned
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

With a torch in your pocket
And the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder
And you know how it feels
To reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs,
Palaces and piers,
Trumpets, towers, and tenemets,
Wide oceans full of tears,
Flag, rags, ferry boats,
Scimitars and scarves,
Every precious dream and vision
Underneath the stars

You climbed on the ladder
With the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
Blazing your trail
Too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon!