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Joy
Franz Nicolay Lyrics
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And the moon comes up
You get one more chance to be good
There's no romance in repetition
Every morning the moon goes down
And the sun comes up, it's an honest tradition
But it lets itself be found
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
But it lets itself be found
The poem fails when
It's too far from the song
Song fails when it's too far from a dance
There's no repetition in romance
I won't start drinking wine with you
You're a naughty boy
I know, it's a custom where you come from
To kiss anyone under the sun
But we have peace and quiet
Thanks be to God
But we have no shining eyes
That rise on command
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
But it lets itself be found
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
But it lets itself be found
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
But it lets itself be found
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
But it lets itself be found
The first verse of Franz Nicolay's "Joy" seems to be about the cyclical nature of life and the chances we get to do better each day. The sun and moon represent the passage of time and the opportunity for redemption. However, Nicolay emphasizes that there's no romance in repetition, perhaps suggesting that simply going through the motions of daily life isn't enough to find true joy.
The chorus emphasizes that joy, like love and sleep, can be elusive but is ultimately attainable if we know where to look. Nicolay repeats this idea twice, perhaps to drive the point home or to emphasize the importance of finding joy in our lives.
The second verse seems to be a commentary on cultural differences and the temptation to engage in behavior that might not be in line with our values. While Nicolay casts judgment on the "naughty boy" who wants to drink wine and kiss anyone he pleases, he acknowledges that it may be a custom where the boy comes from. Ultimately, though, Nicolay seems to prefer the peace and quiet of a life lived honestly over the more exciting but ultimately unfulfilling lifestyle of the "naughty boy." Again, he stresses that joy cannot be commanded or forced but instead must be found.
Overall, "Joy" seems to be encouraging listeners to search for true joy in their lives rather than simply going through the motions. Whether this means breaking free from cultural expectations or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, Nicolay suggests that true joy is out there if we're willing to look for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night the sun goes down
As the day ends and night begins, the opportunity arises to start anew
And the moon comes up
As the sun sets, the moon rises in its place
You get one more chance to be good
A new day presents the opportunity to make better choices
There's no romance in repetition
Doing the same thing over and over again takes away from its magic
Every morning the moon goes down
As morning approaches, the moon fades out of sight
And the sun comes up, it's an honest tradition
Just as the sun rises every day, it's an honest and dependable occurrence
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
Happiness, like love and rest, can be elusive
But it lets itself be found
Happiness can be found in unexpected places, and it's up to us to seize those moments
The poem fails when
A poem falls short when
It's too far from the song
It lacks the emotional impact of a song
Song fails when it's too far from a dance
A song loses its ability to move people when it's distant from the joy of dancing
There's no repetition in romance
The beauty of romance is that it's fresh, exciting, and ever-changing
I won't start drinking wine with you
I won't engage in activities that go against my values
You're a naughty boy
You're mischievous and like to push boundaries
I know, it's a custom where you come from
I understand that this behavior is accepted in your culture
To kiss anyone under the sun
To show physical affection to anyone in your vicinity
But we have peace and quiet
We have a calm and peaceful existence, without the drama of excess activity
Thanks be to God
We acknowledge and appreciate the blessings we have in our lives
But we have no shining eyes
We lack the wide-eyed excitement of new experiences
That rise on command
We can't summon up those feelings of excitement and anticipation whenever we wish
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
Happiness, like love and rest, can be elusive
But it lets itself be found
Happiness can be found in unexpected places, and it's up to us to seize those moments
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
Happiness, like love and rest, can be elusive
But it lets itself be found
Happiness can be found in unexpected places, and it's up to us to seize those moments
Joy, like love and sleep evades its pursuers
Happiness, like love and rest, can be elusive
But it lets itself be found
Happiness can be found in unexpected places, and it's up to us to seize those moments
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.