Moon River
Henry Mancini and 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

"Moon River" is a romantic and dreamy song that is an ode to the longing for adventure and the excitement that wanderlust brings. The first line, "Moon river, wider than a mile," personifies the river as a wide, vast expanse that inspires a sense of wonder and awe. The singer then declares that they will cross the river in style someday, suggesting that they have a dream and are determined to achieve it.

The song goes on to describe two drifters who are off to see the world. They are in pursuit of the same rainbow's end, hinting at the idea that they are searching for a better life, something more fulfilling. The line "my huckleberry friend, moon river, and me" is especially poignant, as it communicates the deep bond of friendship and camaraderie between the two travelers.

Overall, the lyrics of "Moon River" evoke a sense of wanderlust, adventure, and romance. The song is a celebration of human curiosity and the desire to explore, and its iconic melody has captured the hearts of generations of listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

Moon river, wider than a mile
The Moon River is a vast and expansive body of water that spans across a great distance.

I'm crossing you in style some day
Someday I will cross this river in a way that is both elegant and memorable.

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
You are the one who creates wonderful dreams, but also the one who shatters them with heartbreak.

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
No matter where you are headed, I will follow along with you.

Two drifters, off to see the world
We are two people without a specific destination, but rather on a journey to experience all that the world has to offer.

There's such a lot of world to see
The vastness of the world is overwhelming and we are determined to see as much of it as possible.

We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
Our ultimate goal is to find the end of the rainbow, which is always just out of reach and waiting just around the corner.

My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
My friend and I are on this journey together, accompanied by the beautiful Moon River that we are crossing together.

Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Moon River

Henry Mancini and his orchestra and chorus

02Something for Cat4:46

03Sally's Tomato3:09

04Mr. Yunioshi2:34

05The Big Blow Out2:28

06Hub Caps and Tail Lights2:32

07Breakfast at Tiffany's2:43

08Latin Golightly2:58

09Holly3:23

10Loose Caboose3:12

11The Big Heist3:08

12Moon River Cha Cha2:36

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Comments from YouTube:

@davidhertzberg

6y↑17

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

2y↑3

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

@irishtaz44017

8y↑357

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

7y↑14

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

5y↑3

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

3y↑1

aww that's so beautiful

12 More Replies...

@janefuller7335

1y↑20

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

8y↑255

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...

@davidhertzberg

8y↑16

+evensout Thank you, beautiful.

@ravynwolfe

8y↑2

I'm not sure about prancing...

@harponercam

7y↑2

They keep track of these things.....

@carlosferrer2823

7y↑2

evensout n

@flytotheskys

7y↑3

oh those stupid onions!!.....

9 More Replies...

@thom6746

2y↑29

One of the most beautiful melodies ever. And this arrangement adds to its wistful dreaminess. I could hear this once a week for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.

@BillLancaster

5y↑34

Speechless... tears... Some songs cannot be measured or contained by the human mind... God stood up.

@abhishekmaiti387

4y↑2

true

@AVportau

49w↑7

i love when the chorus come in... it's so reminiscent of the big screen sound... it's so good it brings a tear to my eye.

@James.Fife05

1y↑19

I bet if you asked most song writers what song they wished to have written, this would be close to the top of the list. Quite possibly the greatest film theme of all time. What an absolute genius he was.

@mcitheaterclass537

1y↑2

"Asked what song they wish they had written..." I love that.

@AVportau

49w↑2

if it were 40 - 50 years ago i'd have to agree... sadly this era is fading as we who love it grow older... this orchestra/crooner era was golden times... if i had to pick a song i wished i'd wrote from this era it'd be Born Free - Matt Monroe music by John Barry and lyrics by Don Black... i think a lot of people have forgot about both songs.

@Loislaulife

1y↑9

So beauitful. Listening at 2 am on my bed. So cozy. So warm. Like a melted mashmellow by the fireside in a New York winter

@tonygumbrell22

4y↑20

Henri Mancini did something rare, he wrote in waltz time.

@diledile89

5y↑12

The melody of this song never fails to get me emotional

@imavegan3563

10y↑38

Audrey Hepburn one of the most beautiful people.. inside and out

@debbiedeal5937

10y↑50

What a beautiful song........loved, loved this movie....and Audrey Hepburn as well. A beautiful, classy woman.

@Hiker1175

5y↑2

How true... i loved the movie and Audrey too. Her kind of class and compassion is sorely missed in this world today.

@c004857

3y↑25

A very hauntingly beautiful song. Somehow, I feel that everything will be alright when I hear it.

@michellerichter6317

4y↑6

possibly the most beautiful song ever recorded

@jeffhoneycutt7665

9y↑49

It's my favorite song. And it's this version. The background singers are the Ray Charles Singers (not to be confused with Ray Charles, the R & B superstar). The harmonica gets me every time. Johnny Mercer was just a brilliant lyricist. I never get sick of this song.

@rebeccagriffith5659

4y↑3

My favorite version as well. It's the violins!!

@gusfelder5364

hello thanks to your comment I read the biography of Ray Charles singers, and although it is very extensive, Henry Mancini's name does not appear anywhere...although here it says Mancini orchestra and choir, it is known that many things are uploaded without enough info and maybe you have the disc where they say the names, are you sure of that info?

@MySpace662

8y↑45

This classic will live on for many Moons to come.

@DougCeleste

7y↑31

They sure do NOT make songs like this anymore and that's a darn shame!!! I saw Henry Mancini in concert in 1989, just five years before he died of cancer and wow, I was blown away by seeing this MUSICAL LEGEND in person! He left this world much too soon at the age of 70 and I am sure that he had many more songs to inspire us with that we never got to hear. RIP Henry and thanks for the memories! Your music will live on forever in our hearts.

@glenmcgregor3366

8y↑55

When it comes time for me "to move on" I want this played at my grave site. Just a simple way of saying "goodbye, do not feel sad, I'm just starting a new journey".

@normlor8109

9y↑28

if I never hear any other version of this iconic tune ...this one will serve me forever and love it

@cynthiabarbarastew541

9y↑27

Who cannot be touched by this iconic tune and the actress that help make it so famous this is still one of my favorite movie of the sixties.

@johndykes3185

Favourite of all time,you can't peg this into a particular year or decade it,s way way way timeless for that 😁

@ruthliberty2366

34w

"BREAKFAST AT TIFFANAY'S... ".. Whatba dantastic movie Two beautiful people as the leads... It is gorgeous... Takes me back. .Yep... Those were the days indeed ...💞💕👌👌

@tonypearson7514

5y↑14

Bob Dylan sang this at his concert in the Johnny Mercer theatre in Savannah on 6 November 2018. Nowadays he has a world weary voice but it was very emotional and got a standing ovation.

@gusfelder5364

HOW DID DYLAN SING THIS ?, EXCEPT THAT HE WAS JUST ANOTHER VOICE IN A CHOIR.

@rickjones784

3y↑2

Never get tired of looking at photos of Audrey Hepburn. What a history that she survived. And then matched with one of the all time best songs. And now all we here in reviews of this movie is the Mickey Rooney portrayal of a Japanese neighbor. Dont forget it was still pretty raw in relations with Japan, just 16 years removed. I dont think anyone in 1961 cared that it was a distasteful performance. Get over the PC and enjoy the movie, the music and one of the all time most beautiful women ever to live.

@walterfechter8080

2y↑3

In my mind, I'm waltzing among the stars and night clouds with My Barbra Rose to this sublime instrumental. Rest in Eternal Peace, My Western Star - My Barbra Rose. Countless thanks, Henry Mancini, orchestra and chorus. Countless thanks, Andy Williams. This one's for my folks (Helen and Blaine) my wife (Barbra) and for the sweetest gal in NYC (Janet).

@romatrixwiper9354

5y↑8

Such a beautiful song can listen to it on repeat for hours and enjoy it every singel time

@akomalibog2009

1y↑2

When you are feeling stressed, listening to this piece of music helps to relax you and to calm yourself.

@jerrychristman7560

5y↑12

This beautiful song brings so much love into my heart.... I have so many wonderful memories and I'm so grateful to Henry Mancini.

@robertchesnosky75

4y↑4

I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS. THIS IS THE GREATEST MOVIE SONG EVER WRITTEN.

@rascal211

Theme From A Summer Place

@budro1grandchildren

9y↑10

Saw the movie just a couple years ago for the first time. I saw the marquee for its showing at a movie theater in Schweinfurt Germany when I was stationed there in 1962. This life, like this song, is beautiful if one is fortunate enough to live in similar conditions as mine have been. I wish it for everyone.

@sauquoit13456

11y↑6

On this day in 1961 {Oct. 9th} 2 versions of "Moon River" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart and both eventually peaked at #11; Jerry Butler's version spent 17 weeks on the Top 100 while Henry Mancini's stayed on the Top 100 for exactly a half-year {26 weeks} Composed by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, it won the Academy Award for 'Best Original Song' & Grammy Awards for 'Record of the Year' & 'Song of the Year' And in the U.K. Danny Williams took it to #1 {for 2 weeks} on Dec. 28th, 1961

@chrigael5911

1y↑1

This is the version i love!

@zee7922

6y↑6

This version always makes me cry

@loringolk2431

Heaven on a Sunday afternoon!!

@spadebraithwaite1762

1y↑1

The absolute best week of my life, I was teaching English in China to classes that were typically eighty kids, teaching from a text book, the same lesson for thirty classes a week. And one week, the lesson was to teach the kids to sing Moon River. So, for a week, I taught huge classes of warbling Chinese children to sing Moon River. That was the best week of my life.

@susanjoycesabo8450

1y↑1

My favorite version, esp. that harmonica.

@jmrodas9

6y↑5

I used to hear this song when i was fifteen and sixteen and liked it very much. Sort of dreamy it made me daydream about what love would be like. The lyrics are great to hear and enjoy.

@johnjarou2357

9y↑17

favorite version of the song here. the original with henry mancini and the chorus.

@barbaralesack8387

6y↑2

Incredibly amazing and gorgeous - this special "Mancini sound" - one of the best orchestras I've ever listened to in my - 7 decades lasting - life! Wonderful!

@toyguy1956

33w

This was my parents favorite film they are both gone now every time I hear this I start to cry because I feel they are telling me they are doing ok
On now in Canada there there is a McDonald’s ad and in the background they playing this tune

@frankholt4325

3y↑3

This classic from Henry Mancini tugs at the heart strings and cherished memories

@uncleleo7637

3y↑1

Everytime I go home to Quincy, Illinois I go down to the riverfront park and play this song on my phone as I gaze across the Big Muddy.

@sandiegotrojandawg

5y↑2

My all-time most favorite movie theme song from my most favorite movie...what a pair! The late, great Johnny Mercer, who penned this tune, was from Savannah, Georgia. While growing up, Mercer used to frequent a nearby river that led to the inspiration of this beautiful song. That river was aptly renamed, "Moon River", by local officials shortly after Mercer's death. He is buried in Savannah in the Bonaventure Cemetery should your travels ever take you to that beautiful city. A little trivia fyi....the opening scene of "Breakfast At Tiffany's" was shot in just one take! It was a miracle (especially in New York) that there were no other cars or people coming or going or proceeding through cross-sections when the camera caught the scene of the arriving taxi and her exit, walking to the storefront, etc., at 6 a.m. that day.

@theworm6870

4y↑1

A song that is a throwback to the innocence of youth when things were much simpler.

@SuperMarlene01

9y↑9

Way,way,way before my time but I can't help loving it.

@mrains100

4y↑2

This is art as it should be.

@osmarfontanetti8527

6y↑2

One of the most beautiful actresses I've ever seen !

@donaldnoel8022

8y↑1

I just hope everyone realizes what a master Henry Mancini really was. I am thankful to God we had him for awhile and still have his music.

@veronicaoliveratoro9776

2y↑3

Esta musica y orquetra es fascinante, y HENRY MANCINI genio
Coros espectaculares que belleza

@JZ_DESIGN

6y↑2

I wish I can be born more earlier to having a wonderful music era.

@hopkinsonevil

8y↑8

Moonriver: While the river may get dry, the moon will always be up there shining...

@TD402dd

26w

Johnny Mercer wrote the words to the song to match the character in the movie. The opening words "Moon river, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday". That describes someone so poor they dream about having wealth. The song is so beautiful that people really don't listen to the words. You don't know that in the movie until Holly's husband from Texas shows up. The first time I saw the movie that scene made me so sad I cried.

@grimreaper7931

33w

masterpiece ever.....

@avefiggy2128

7y↑1

my grandpa would have it played for me at this special place in Beverly Hills he'd take me to when down south he'd request it ❤️

@jassyfehr8027

7y↑1

i dont know why but i'm crying ❤ sooo beautiful...

@TD402dd

24w

Johnny Mercer is revered in his home town of Savannah, GA for partnering with so many great writers of music to add his words. Years ago the government in the area named a local river Moon River. I once thought it was the big Savannah River, but its not.

@annacottage4536

7y↑21

Thank you so much, my favourite composers, romantic beautiful tearful, just fabulous.

@davidhertzberg

7y↑2

My pleasure, so glad you like it!

@garyclark6281

5y↑1

Reminds me of the Seven Mile Creek, south of Camden Ohio, at the Swan-Beatty Rd. bridge. Fished for crappie, and caught lots of crawdads as a kid back in the 50's.

@bexs.4941

8y↑15

Such a beautiful song.

@djjim01

10y↑3

SUPERB song & movie - - five stars out of five !!

@edpolk1262

6y↑1

This is the version I remember, as a kid.
We played a Henry Mancini medley, in high school. And Moon River, was the closing number.

@scottabelli3406

The best version of all

@mauriziorc6380

5y↑4

I cry every time I listen to this

@nancyhayes2521

Me too. I still love you and miss you Charlie Brown, after 40 years. Hope you are happy.

@ingelamboo8599

Me too

@loathecliff9364

10y↑1

One of the most beautiful songs, but does anyone else dislike the massed voices?

@johnolejarczyk4110

22w

This is my class song .

@jameswilliams8568

8y↑9

This song is amazing.

@jeancome8848

43w

😢😢 Et cette scène tellement émouvante dans le film " Né le 4 juillet" Boulversant 😢😢

@ajdarsalayev4779

9y↑6

Mr.Mancini thank you!!!

@stellatt

8y↑3

One of the most beautiful song.

@laauu014

4y↑3

i want this to be played at my wedding. honestly.

@barrytaylor6565

such a beautiful version, it always reduces a 68 yr old 6ft 4ins man to tears .😮‍💨

@henrycallaway5155

6y↑2

Fell in love with this tune back when I was only a child.

@antoniodepaula8830

8y↑8

Moon River é a mais linda das canções!

@andrewc.2952

4y↑4

Someday when my true love and I meet, I will dance with her practically every night to songs like this.

@lindastansfield1536

4y↑1

Hope you meet her soon.

@jmrodas9

6y↑1

This song is very nice as it is dreamy sweet and mellow at the same time. And the lyrics are very good and the chorus sings it very well. "wherever you are going, I am going your way". Nice to hear and to be taken under the sails of a dream.

@sirenavillacanasleria1924

Jorge Mario Rodas QUE BONITO ES SOÑAR CON LO QUE NO PUDO SER,Y QUE CRUDO ES ABRIR LOS OJOS

@LATVERIAN1

8y↑4

R.I.P LORI. THIS SHALL BE OUR SONG FOR ETERNITY. I LOVE YOU OX

@messrtwinky

11y↑2

How beautiful Audrey Hepburn too, of course!

@armagedon1945

1y↑2

Это волшебная музыка... И песня. Герман, спасибо за ссылку 🇷🇺❣️✊🙏🤝🥰🇷🇺

@carriersignal

9y↑5

"Mooooooon River" Thank you Doc, ever serve time?

@user-yf5mj3oj2g

I love you this song💖💖☺️

@OceanTree

8y↑4

So... soothing...

@dinezthompson9832

4y↑1

Today you got your partners, your bff's, old lady, old man, best friend, etc....Hell's Bells! Am I fallin' for those wedding day blues again??? Cause mostly you got Husbands and Wives amungst the older genarations

@fredericopires6256

Amazing.

@larocca3

I have been seeing references of Moon River lately. Just today I followed someone at Twitter with the hand Your Huckleberry Friend and then my 6 yo grandson walks in just now playing this song! I had to find this and hear it and cry my eyes out. Thank you!

@nicangelus1

9y↑3

Beautiful song,

@user-qx7oz8fy8x

11w

Fantastic

@edcpike

I can remember my mother singing this while we listened on the stereo. Still one of my favorites.

@paulhansen116

Lots of memories of days gone by, perhaps it will return.... someday

@georgeleicht9917

5y↑1

Dont know why but this song makes me incredibly sad...but I listen to it over and over.

@thom6746

2y↑1

Lots of minor chords. And each melodic phrase descends to lower notes. It's in waltz time. The lyrics are suggestive and vaguely about hopes being fulfilled in the future. Put it all together and it has an emotional effect on people. For some, dreams unfulfilled. For others, dreams that will be fulfilled just around that bend up there in the river. It's beautiful.

@tropicalpancake56

11y↑1

How very beautiful as was the film....thank you.

@soulonsoul8035

I grew up on Audrey Hepburn movies. Nostalgia 😭😍

@magorzataacek4615

17w

Uwielbiam tę melodi❤❤❤❤

@kennethhuang371

2y↑1

Wow! Henry Mancini does a superb arrangement for the first part of Moon River… then the chorus performs beautifully at the end.
Kenneth A Huang 9/24/22

@Outra2Conta

35w

obra prima de henry mancini monn river

@harponercam

8y↑5

The one song I'd hear if I had one song to hear before I died- and this version.

@johnjarou2357

i'm with you.

@harponercam

7y↑1

wo !

@82luft49

Nancy Wilson, how sad to say that.

@christophers.o622

Moon River makes me think about the Susquehanna River from Sayre, PA to Pittston, PA my late father’s hometown. Moon River was a very big hit in the month of November of 1961. My 4 favorite Henry Mancini songs are Moon River, Main theme from the Molly Maguires movie, theme from Cade’s County on television which lasted only a year and the Thornbirds theme song. The theme from the Molly Maguires by Henry Mancini was played during my late wife’s viewing in Los Angeles at the San Fernando Mission Chapel on 3/13/2010.

@zoroforo323

9y↑1

Very, very beautiful music and orchestra !Wonderful chorus ! Feliicitation !

@notaire2

Die seidigen Töne aller Violinen sind echt schön und bezaubernd. Ausgezeichnetes Orchester!

@celesluns1690

Henry Mancini fue uno de los Grandes Directores de Orquestas
Fabuloso con su Musica Instrumental...que Recuerdos nos trae de los años felices....soy del PERU...Saludos.

@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive

ME & "BONWIT TELLER" , 5TH AVE & E.56TH-57TH ST. & "MOON RIVER". FOREVER IN MY HEART & SOUL TILL I DIE. R.I.P. MS. AUDREY HEPBURN, WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE MET YOU, JUST TO LET U KNOW HOW YOUR PERFORMANCES & THIS MOVIE, ESPECIALLY, CHANGED MY LIFE & LIFTED ME UP WHEN I DESPERATELY NEEDED TO BE LIFTED, THROUGH MUSIC & SONG.

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