Bad Moon Risin'
John Fogerty & Greatful Dead Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see a bad moon a-rising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

Don't go 'round tonight
It's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes a-blowing,
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Don't go 'round tonight
It's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hope you got your things together.
I hope you are quit prepared to die.
Look's like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Oh don't go 'round tonight
It's bound to take your life,




There's a bad moon on the rise.
There's a bad moon on the rise.

Overall Meaning

John Fogerty's song "Bad Moon Rising" is a haunting warning of the dark and foreboding future that lies ahead. The lyrics are filled with imagery of natural disasters and destructive forces that threaten to wreak havoc on the world. The opening line "I see a bad moon a-rising" sets the tone for the rest of the song, indicating that something ominous is on the horizon.


The lyrics are a reflection of the social and political climate of the late 1960s when the song was released. The Vietnam War was raging, and there was civil unrest as people protested for their civil rights. The lyrics "I see trouble on the way" and "I hear the voice of rage and ruin" capture the sense of anxiety and fear that many people felt at the time.


The chorus "Don't go 'round tonight, it's bound to take your life, there's a bad moon on the rise" is a warning to stay indoors and avoid the dangers that lurk outside. The refrain is a reminder that there are forces beyond our control, and it's better to be safe than sorry.


Overall, "Bad Moon Rising" is a powerful and evocative song that captures the mood of a tumultuous era in American history.


Line by Line Meaning

I see a bad moon a-rising.
The singer sees a negative and dangerous event approaching.


I see trouble on the way.
The singer predicts that something negative is about to happen.


I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
The singer envisions natural disasters on the horizon.


I see bad times today.
The singer senses that the present moment is fraught with difficulties and challenges.


Don't go 'round tonight It's bound to take your life, There's a bad moon on the rise.
The singer warns others to stay inside and avoid danger that is lurking outside.


I hear hurricanes a-blowing, I know the end is coming soon.
The singer hears signs of destruction and believes that the end of something may be near.


I fear rivers over flowing. I hear the voice of rage and ruin.
The singer is afraid that the forces of nature and destructive behavior will lead to a disastrous outcome.


I hope you got your things together. I hope you are quit prepared to die.
The singer advises others to prepare for the worst and be ready for death.


Look's like we're in for nasty weather. One eye is taken for an eye.
The singer observes that difficult times are ahead and that revenge may be sought after harm has been inflicted.


Oh don't go 'round tonight It's bound to take your life, There's a bad moon on the rise.
The singer repeats his warning to stay inside and avoid danger.


There's a bad moon on the rise.
The singer concludes that a negative and dangerous event is about to occur.




Lyrics © DistroKid, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John C. Fogerty

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions