Moon River
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra and Chorus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heartbreaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me





Overall Meaning

The opening line of Henry Mancini and His Orchestra's song Moon River sets the stage for the romantic and dreamy tone of the song. The singer refers to the famous river as "wider than a mile" which serves to conjure up an image of vast open spaces and natural beauty. The singer then states that they will be crossing the river "in style some day." This line can be interpreted as a reference to their future aspirations and goals, with the singer aiming to overcome obstacles in their path with flair and grace.


The second verse brings in a romantic notion of a dream maker and heart breaker. The singer is drawn to this person regardless of where they may be going, they are willing to join them on their journey. The third verse brings in another character, "two drifters, off to see the world," and they are both seeking adventure and discovery. The line "my huckleberry friend" is most likely a reference to Mark Twain's character Huckleberry Finn, and is used to suggest the close bond between the two drifters as they travel down their own "moon river."


Line by Line Meaning

Moon river, wider than a mile
The moonlit river is so expansive that it seems like it's wider than a mile


I'm crossing you in style some day
I will cross the river someday in a stylish and graceful manner


Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Addressing the river as a dream maker, who while inspiring dreams, can also break one's heart


Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
Regardless of where the river flows, I will follow its course and accompany it


Two drifters, off to see the world
Two individuals, without any fixed destination, are wandering to explore the world


There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and offers numerous opportunities to explore and experience


We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
Both the individuals are seeking a common goal, which is at the end of the rainbow, waiting just around the corner


My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
Addressing the river as a friend, both the individuals share a companionship while exploring the world together




Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@davidhertzberg

You can hear the original here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpxYuv2O46c // A photo album with close ups of the images displayed in this video can be reviewed here: https://plus.google.com/photos/108298623225603793041/albums/5743435896248444481?banner=pwa

@tl-zn5et

Such an exquisite song and a timeless movie! Thank you all.

@irishtaz44017

The first date I went on with my husband (which was a blind date, by the way!), he sat down & played this on the piano. His rendition was so beautiful, I cried...and the rest, as they say, is history!! We celebrated 36 years of marriage this past June & we're still as much in love now as we were then!!

@DougCeleste

IRISHTAZ: WOW, what a VERY lovely post and thanks so much for sharing!!! I was really touched by your words and all couples should be in love like you and your husband. And by the way, HAPPY 26TH ANNIVERSARY and God bless you both!!!

@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive

MY WIFE'S FAV = "AUTUMN LEAVES" & " LOVES GROWN DEEP"(KENNY NOLAND),OUR WEDDING SONG. MY PICK;"WILDFLOWER" BY SKYLARK(DAVID(FAMOUS)FOSTER>MARRIED 8/14/77,

@therezabulhoes9204

@@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive oki

@therezabulhoes9204

Folhas mortas

@brentbabb6559

aww that's so beautiful

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@janefuller7335

I had them play the Lou Armstrong version of this for the final dance at our wedding. I lost my sweetie to cancer 13 years later, and I still can't listen to this song without crying. I miss my Huckleberry friend so much! 😢

@evensout

this was my wife's favorite song, I stop by to revisit it--from time to time, and I can almost feel her hand n mine...

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