Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Reaching For the Moon
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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And here am I but where are you?
A dream of love would soon come true
If I could reach the moon and you
The moon and you appear to be
So near and yet so far from me
And here am I on a night in June
Reaching for the moon and you
My song of love is incomplete
I'm just the words looking for the tune
Reaching for the moon and you
The lyrics to Irving Berlin's song "Reaching For the Moon" convey a sense of yearning and longing for love. The singer is contemplating the distance between themselves and the person they desire, symbolized by the metaphor of reaching for the moon. The pale new moon and sky of blue create a backdrop of beauty and possibility, highlighting the potential for a dream of love to come true.
The first verse sets the stage for the singer's desire to be with their loved one. The line "And here am I but where are you?" suggests a sense of isolation and loneliness, emphasizing the need for the other person's presence. The singer's dream of love is portrayed as something that could become a reality if they could just reach the moon and find their beloved. The moon represents an unattainable goal, reflecting the seemingly insurmountable distance between the singer and their lover.
In the second verse, the singer muses on the apparent proximity yet unreachability of the moon and their loved one. The moon and the person they desire seem so close, yet they remain "so far from me." This contrast intensifies the yearning felt by the singer, emphasizing their frustration at being unable to bridge the gap between them and their loved one. The night in June further enhances the romantic atmosphere, as June is often associated with love and romance. The image of the singer reaching for the moon and the person they desire reflects their relentless pursuit of love, despite the many obstacles and uncertainties they face.
Line by Line Meaning
A pale new moon, a sky of blue
The beginning of a new relationship, full of potential and hope
And here am I but where are you?
Feeling alone and questioning the whereabouts of the person I long for
A dream of love would soon come true
Believing that love can become a reality
If I could reach the moon and you
Expressing the desire to bridge the distance between us and make love possible
The moon and you appear to be
You and the moon symbolize a distant, unattainable love
So near and yet so far from me
Despite the perceived closeness, you and the moon seem unreachable to me
And here am I on a night in June
Reflecting on my feelings under the romantic atmosphere of a June night
Reaching for the moon and you
Striving to reach for both you and the impossible dream of love
I wonder if we'll ever meet
Doubting if our paths will ever cross
My song of love is incomplete
Feeling that my expression of love is not fully realized
I'm just the words looking for the tune
Feeling like an incomplete song, needing the melody of your presence
Reaching for the moon and you
Continuing to yearn for both you and the unattainable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind