The Trinity Session is perhaps their best known record, recorded live in a single day on a single microphone in a church in Toronto. This album also included a unique cover version of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". Reed reportedly liked the Junkies' version of the song better than his own, and began performing their version in concert.
None of the band's subsequent albums have been hits outside of Canada, although the band has maintained a dedicated following and have continued to have chart hits in their native country. Following their 1998 album Miles from Our Home, Cowboy Junkies were dropped from their major label contract. They have continued to release albums on their own independent label, Latent Records.
Crescent Moon
Cowboy Junkies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grab hold of the hollow
If she sits in the palm of the left
That moon will be fuller tomorrow
If she sits in the palm of the right
That moon is on the wane
And the love of the one who shares your bed
Will be doing just the same
"Won't you come with me", she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Out among the fields gently hipped
Beneath the corn,
Assiniboine bones beneath the highway
He stood there and he thought of home
A finger traces the path of a satellite
You're drawn to a distant copse of trees
A voice as sweet as Mare's Tail
Clings to the prairie breeze
"Won't you come with me', she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Do I reach for you
When I know you're on the wane?
Do I sense you when I know you're not around?
Do I search for you
When I know you can't be found?
Do I dare to speak your name?
Raise your eyes to a moonless sky
And try to wish upon a rising star
Search all you want for her blessing
But you won't find her sparkling there
Now cast your eyes to a part of the sky
Where nothing but darkness unfolds
And watch as all around you
She reveals the brilliance of secrets untold
Won't you come with me, she said,
There's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain
The song Crescent Moon by Cowboy Junkies is a poetic reflection on the allure of the moon and how it influences our emotions, desires, and relationships. The opening verses describe the mystical power of the crescent moon and how reaching out to it can affect its gradual waxing or waning, much like our connections with those we love. The singer’s voice is calm and soothing, perfectly reflecting the gentle movement of the moon and the quiet reflection of the lyrics.
The song then transitions to an invitation from a woman who is not a part of the singer’s planned life but is confident that she can offer him physical and emotional solace. She invites him to her "iron bed", perhaps a metaphor for a makeshift shelter or a place of comfort beyond the boundaries of normalcy. The singer is faced with a decision to follow her or remain in the life he planned.
The final verses remind us that sometimes, even the stars cannot offer us the guidance we seek, and we must rely on our own intuition and courage to find meaning in the darkness. Overall, the lyrics of Crescent Moon are rich with symbolism and invite the listener to reflect on the mysteries of the natural world and the rhythms of human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach a hand to the crescent moon
Extend your hand to the curved moon
Grab hold of the hollow
Grasp the emptiness
If she sits in the palm of the left
If the moon is to the left
That moon will be fuller tomorrow
Tomorrow the moon will be more complete
If she sits in the palm of the right
If the moon is to the right
That moon is on the wane
The moon is in decline
And the love of the one who shares your bed
And the love of the one who sleeps with you
Will be doing just the same
Will be undergoing the same change
"Won't you come with me", she said,
"Won't you accompany me," she spoke,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
"There's ample space in my metal bed
You're looking cold and tired
You appear cold and exhausted
And more than a little human
And undeniably human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
I realize I'm not included in your intended life,
But I think once your body feels my hand
However, I believe once I touch your body
Your mind will change
Your thoughts will shift
And your heart will lose its pain
And the pain in your heart will dissipate
Out among the fields gently hipped
Out in the softly rolling fields
Beneath the corn, Assiniboine bones beneath the highway
Amidst the corn and the bones of Assiniboine below the road
He stood there and he thought of home
He stood there and pondered about his home
A finger traces the path of a satellite
A finger follows the trajectory of a satellite
You're drawn to a distant copse of trees
You're compelled towards a faraway cluster of trees
A voice as sweet as Mare's Tail
A voice as lovely as a horsetail plant
Clings to the prairie breeze
Adheres to the plains' wind
"Won't you come with me', she said,
"Won't you accompany me," she spoke,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
"There's ample space in my metal bed
You're looking cold and tired
You appear cold and exhausted
And more than a little human
And undeniably human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
I realize I'm not included in your intended life,
But I think once your body feels my hand
However, I believe once I touch your body
Your mind will change
Your thoughts will shift
And your heart will lose its pain
And the pain in your heart will dissipate
Do I reach for you
Do I extend myself to you
When I know you're on the wane?
When I'm aware that you're diminishing?
Do I sense you when I know you're not around?
Do I feel you when you're absent?
Do I search for you
Do I look for you
When I know you can't be found?
When I know you are untraceable?
Do I dare to speak your name?
Do I have the courage to utter your name?
Raise your eyes to a moonless sky
Lift your gaze to a sky without a moon
And try to wish upon a rising star
And seek to make a wish on a shooting star
Search all you want for her blessing
Seek in vain for her approval
But you won't find her sparkling there
But you won't encounter her sparkling there
Now cast your eyes to a part of the sky
Now shift your focus to a region of the sky
Where nothing but darkness unfolds
Where only obscurity is visible
And watch as all around you
And witness as everything around you
She reveals the brilliance of secrets untold
Unveiling the splendor of concealed truths
"Won't you come with me," she said,
"Won't you accompany me," she spoke,
"There's plenty of room in my iron bed
"There's ample space in my metal bed
You're looking cold and tired
You appear cold and exhausted
And more than a little human
And undeniably human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
I realize I'm not included in your intended life,
But I think once your body feels my hand
However, I believe once I touch your body
Your mind will change
Your thoughts will shift
And your heart will lose its pain
And the pain in your heart will dissipate
Lyrics © PAZ JUNK MUSIC INC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL EDWARD TIMMINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sol y Luna
Reach a hand to the crescent moon
Grab hold of the hollow
If she sits in the palm of the left
That moon will be fuller tomorrow
If she sits in the palm of the right
That moon is on the wane
And the love of the one who shares your bed
Will be doing just the same
"Won't you come with me", she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Out among the fields gently hipped
Beneath the corn,
Assiniboine bones beneath the highway
He stood there and he thought of home
A finger traces the path of a satellite
You're drawn to a distant copse of trees
A voice as sweet as Mare's Tail
Clings to the prairie breeze
"Won't you come with me', she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Do I reach for you
When I know you're on the wane?
Do I sense you when I know you're not around?
Do I search for you
When I know you can't be found?
Do I dare to speak your name?
Raise your eyes to a moonless sky
And try to wish upon a rising star
Search all you want for her blessing
But you won't find her sparkling there
Now cast your eyes to a part of the sky
Where nothing but darkness unfolds
And watch as all around you
She reveals the brilliance of secrets untold
Won't you come with me, she said,
There's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain
Chris Weppler
I’m not 100% sure, but this may well be my favorite Cowboy Junkies song. Margo’s vocals are heartbreakingly perfect and Michael’s words—-well, they’re just fucking perfect.
Glenna
Soul elevating tune.. thanks y’all, as I love your music so✨
Charles Hash
Gorgeous intro, and then it gets even better
jm ashe
Brilliant..period
Cheers from Minnesota..
xxCHAIxx
Just discovered the other day. Beautiful.
Lesley Follington
I Love this song
Donald Fisher
Intricate and brilliant. Intro reminds me of Bad Finger.
Sol y Luna
Reach a hand to the crescent moon
Grab hold of the hollow
If she sits in the palm of the left
That moon will be fuller tomorrow
If she sits in the palm of the right
That moon is on the wane
And the love of the one who shares your bed
Will be doing just the same
"Won't you come with me", she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Out among the fields gently hipped
Beneath the corn,
Assiniboine bones beneath the highway
He stood there and he thought of home
A finger traces the path of a satellite
You're drawn to a distant copse of trees
A voice as sweet as Mare's Tail
Clings to the prairie breeze
"Won't you come with me', she said,
"there's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain"
Do I reach for you
When I know you're on the wane?
Do I sense you when I know you're not around?
Do I search for you
When I know you can't be found?
Do I dare to speak your name?
Raise your eyes to a moonless sky
And try to wish upon a rising star
Search all you want for her blessing
But you won't find her sparkling there
Now cast your eyes to a part of the sky
Where nothing but darkness unfolds
And watch as all around you
She reveals the brilliance of secrets untold
Won't you come with me, she said,
There's plenty of room in my iron bed
You're looking cold and tired
And more than a little human
I know I'm not part of the life you had planned,
But I think once your body feels my hand
Your mind will change
And your heart will lose its pain
Mark Garno
Fucking harmonica player just kills me. SERIOUSFUCKINGLY
I love it
mysticmuse
🔥😘