Along with songs by Yes, this song was used in the 1998 movie Buffalo '66, in the scene in which Christina Ricci tap dances at the bowling alley.
After having been rehearsed in 2013–2014 by King Crimson VIII, the song made its live debut after 48 years on 18 October 2017 in Austin, Texas.
The first section, "The Dream", is a mellotron-driven ballad, but after two and a half minutes it changes to a completely free-form instrumental improvisation by the band (called "The Illusion"), which lasts until the end of the song. Robert Fripp plays a snippet of "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top" (from Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!") in this section. In the 2009 remastered version of the album, the track was edited by Fripp and colleague Steven Wilson, with around 2.30 minutes of the original improvisation (the reference by Fripp to "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top") being removed. This issue of the album does, however, offer the original version as a bonus track.
The song contains drummer Michael Giles performing a unique alternation between the ride cymbals, which was praised by music critics and writers. The song was described as a "space jam."
Moonchild
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Lonely moonchild
Dreaming in the shadow
Of the willow
Talking to the trees of the
Cobweb strange
Weaving silver wands to the
Night bird's song
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
She's a moonchild
Gathering the flowers in a garden
Lovely moonchild
Drifting on the echoes of the hours
Sailing on the wind
In a milk white gown
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Playing hide and seek
With the ghosts of dawn
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
The lyrics of King Crimson's song Moonchild describe a young, ethereal girl who spends her time alone, communing with nature and dreaming amongst the shadows. The imagery here is very specific and vivid, as we see the girl dancing in the shallows of a river, talking to trees and sleeping on the steps of a fountain. She is weaving silver wands and dropping circle stones on a sundial, all while waiting for the sun to rise and bring light to her world.
The lyrics convey a sense of otherworldliness and melancholy, as the moonchild remains lonely and isolated in her mystical world. She is waiting for a smile from a sun child, perhaps an indication that she longs for a connection with someone else who understands her unique perspective. The song's haunting melody and dreamlike quality add to this sense of mystery and wistfulness, creating a rich and complex emotional landscape that listeners can get lost in.
Line by Line Meaning
Call her moonchild
Referring to a person who has an affinity for the moon and is perhaps at peace when in its presence
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Moving lightly and rhythmically in a body of water that is typically not deep
Lonely moonchild
A solitary being seeking or lacking companionship
Dreaming in the shadow of the willow
Lost in a thought or fantasy, while positioned under the shade of a tree
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange
Engaging in monologue with the trees within a labyrinthian setting
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Resting unconscious on the stairs of a large structure containing a man-made water source
Weaving silver wands to the night bird's song
Crafting devices made from a light metallic color, that emit sounds which coincide with the melodies of birds who are active during the night
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
Anticipating the arrival of sunlight while being situated on a tall natural elevation
She's a moonchild
Used as a reference to a person, already discussed, and their affinity for the moon
Gathering the flowers in a garden
Collecting multiple flowers in bloom within an outdoor environment cultivated for plants
Lovely moonchild
Describing an attractive, gentle person, with a strong connection to the moon
Drifting on the echoes of the hours
Floating through the reoccurring moments of time, while remaining guided by past sounds or events
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown
Being transported around a location while wearing a light-colored dress, partially making use of the natural forces surrounding them
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Letting small round objects fall onto a device which displays the time of day, that uses the position of the sun
Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn
Participating in a game of trying to stay hidden from or find entities representing the period just before the sun appears
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
A sun child would refer to someone who appears happy and at ease during a sunny day, and the moonchild is gazing towards that person in hopes of receiving a kind response
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Greg Lake, Ian Mcdonald, Michael Rex Giles, Peter John Sinfield, Robert Fripp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cottoncandy7159
Moonchild
[Part I: “The Dream”]
Call her moonchild
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Lonely moonchild
Dreaming in the shadows of a willow
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Waving silver wands to the night-bird’s song
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
She’s a moonchild
Gathering the flowers in a garden
Lovely moonchild
Drifting in the echoes of the hours
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
@alexmendoza346
Llámala hija de la luna
Call her moonchild
Bailando en las aguas poco profundas de un río
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Hijo de la luna solitario
Lonely moonchild
Soñando en las sombras del sauce
Dreaming in the shadows of the willow
Hablando con los árboles de la telaraña extraño
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange
Durmiendo en los escalones de una fuente
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Agitando varitas plateadas al canto de los pájaros nocturnos
Waving silver wands to the night birds song
Esperando el sol en la montaña
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
ella es una hija de la luna
She's a moonchild
Recogiendo las flores en un jardín.
Gathering the flowers in a garden
precioso hijo de la luna
Lovely moonchild
A la deriva en los ecos de las horas
Drifting on the echoes of the hours
Navegando en el viento con un vestido blanco como la leche
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown
Dejar caer piedras circulares en un reloj de sol
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Jugando al escondite con los fantasmas del amanecer
Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn
Esperando una sonrisa de un niño sol
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
@baddomingo6240
Call her moonchild
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Lonely moonchild
Dreaming in the shadows of the willow
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Waving silver wands to the night birds song
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
She's a moonchild
Gathering the flowers in a garden
Lovely moonchild
Drifting on the echoes of the hours
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
@progrockplaylists
Some people are hearing this for the first time and i can feel their day has changed completely
@Marova
here
@lifespanofafry1534
I’ll forget this pretentious nonsense by tomorrow. King Crimson is waaaaay in the back of my prog rock taste. If they even register at all.
@Marova
@Lifespan of a Fry dude why you even bother to comment then? I'd get this kind of comment with some of the commercial, social networking, influencer shit thats going on every where nowadays, but from a 1969 album?? And on a full of good vibes comment?? Lame. You are heading in the wrong direction person on the internet who I could care less of a shit, but let me tell you something: You are the one being pretentious and forgettable this time...
Saludos!
@gab_v250
one of them it's me. But I'm coming from Genesis, YES and italian progressive (Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, PFM, Area...)
@alexanderhutton7514
Listening to this for the first time right now, and I can confirm that this is about to have a huge impact on my life
@suntrespasser9684
This was played at my mum's funeral, at her request. Miss you mum xxx
@ssballs
What greatness. Reads like she had great taste.
@rudigazortipek2987
Scintilstes in many an unearthly hue
@johnsosa991
Rest In Peace!