Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
You've Got The Moon
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asked the moon for another helping
It's getting on past suppertime
Lights are low and it was evening
Pull your dress up to your knees
Out in the fields we'll go walking
Just the tall grass and the trees
Silhouettes and crickets singing
[Chorus]
And here I am holding on to you
And you've got the moon
See the leaves fall as they turn
Green into a golden evening
Slowly, so there is no change
It does not feel like the end of something
[Chorus]
Stars and satellites and clouds
Everything tonight is floating
And I am too so I hold your hand
And up above the moon is rowing
[Chorus]
In Josh Ritter's song "You've Got The Moon," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a romantic evening spent outdoors in the company of a loved one. The first verse sets the scene: it's evening, and the couple have had their fill of May (which could allude to a physical or metaphorical bounty) and are hoping for more - this time from the moon. The second verse describes the serene beauty of the natural world around them, with the leaves turning from green to gold and everything floating in the night sky. Throughout it all, the singer is holding onto his partner, both united in the whimsy and enchantment of the moment.
It's clear that the song is imbued with a sense of magic and surrealism. The moon, for instance, is often symbolic of change, femininity, and emotional transformation - all notions that could easily be applied to the singer's romantic relationship. Furthermore, the imagery of the "tall grass and the trees" serves to ground the song in nature; it's easy to imagine the couple's surroundings as a peaceful idyll, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Additionally, the line "Lights are low and it was evening" evokes a sense of intimacy and warmth - perhaps the only thing missing is a crackling fire to complete the aesthetic.
Overall, "You've Got The Moon" is a love song that manages to capture a moment of pure wonder and escapism. It celebrates the natural beauty of the world around us while reminding us that the most important thing is often the person we're sharing that beauty with.
Line by Line Meaning
We ate May down to the rind
We have enjoyed everything there is to enjoy about May, leaving nothing behind.
Asked the moon for another helping
Despite having consumed all that May has to offer, we still ask for more from the moon, a symbol of abundance and hope.
It's getting on past suppertime
It is late in the day, after dinner, when the world begins to quiet down.
Lights are low and it was evening
The sun has set and the darkness of night is slowly creeping in, setting the tone for a peaceful and intimate moment.
Pull your dress up to your knees
A playful and flirtatious gesture that signals a desire to explore and be impulsive.
Out in the fields we'll go walking
We will leave behind our worries and confinements and venture out into nature, taking in the beauty of the world around us.
Just the tall grass and the trees
The simplicity and purity of nature provide the perfect setting for two people to connect deeply and intimately.
Silhouettes and crickets singing
The sounds of nature and the shadows cast by the moon create a mystical and enchanting atmosphere, weaving a sense of magic into the moment.
And here I am holding on to you
The artist is deeply connected to their partner, holding onto them tightly, cherishing the moment.
And you've got the moon
While the artist holds onto their partner, their partner is holding onto the moon, a symbol of abundance and hope, suggesting that there is a deep and mystical connection between the couple and the universe.
See the leaves fall as they turn
Despite the passage of time, the beauty of nature endures, transforming from one season to the next with grace and serenity.
Green into a golden evening
The transition from day to night is a slow and subtle one, filled with wonder and majesty, as the world transforms before our very eyes.
Slowly, so there is no change
The transition is so gradual that it is imperceptible, reminding us that time is always moving forward, and that we must savor every moment before it slips away.
It does not feel like the end of something
Despite the change of seasons and the passage of time, there is a sense of continuity and permanence that endures, reminding us that life is a cycle, and that every ending is also a beginning.
Stars and satellites and clouds
The celestial bodies provide a backdrop for this intimate moment, highlighting the connection between the couple and the universe.
Everything tonight is floating
The artist is overwhelmed by the sense of magic and mystery that permeates the moment, evoking a feeling of weightlessness and freedom.
And I am too so I hold your hand
The artist is caught up in the moment, and reaches out to their partner for support and connection.
And up above the moon is rowing
The moon continues its celestial journey, a symbol of hope and abundance, propelling us forward into the unknown, reminding us that life is a journey, and that we should cherish every moment.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Echevarria E
Great stuff Tim harding ,Pete seeger Paul Simon all rolled into one