A Sailboat in the Moonlight
Lester Young Lyrics


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A sailboat in the moonlight
And you
Wouldn't that be heaven
A heaven just for two
A soft breeze on a June night and you
What a perfect setting
For letting dreams come true
A chance to sail away
To Sweetheart Bay
Beneath the stars that shine
A chance to drift
For you to lift
Your tender lips to mine
Some things dear
That I long for are few
Just give me a sailboat in the moonlight and you

A chance to sail away
To Sweetheart Bay
Beneath the stars that shine
A chance to drift
For you to lift
Your tender lips to mine
Some things dear




That I long for are few
Just give me a sailboat in the moonlight and you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lester Young’s “Sailboat in the Moonlight” paint a serene and intimate picture of a perfect setting for two people in love, with the moonlit sailboat and a soft breeze on a June night symbolizing the freedom that love can bring. The singer longs for a chance to sail away to Sweetheart Bay, beneath the stars that shine and drift towards each other. The song captures the essence of young love, the excitement of being with someone you cherish and the pure joy of sharing a magical moment together.


The lyrics are filled with romantic imagery and poetic language. The sailboat, a classic symbol for freedom and adventure, is juxtaposed with the moonlight, a symbol of serenity and calmness. The reference to Sweetheart Bay and the tender lips of the singer’s beloved evoke feelings of nostalgia and affection. The song is a testament to the power of love and the tranquil moments it can provide.


Line by Line Meaning

A sailboat in the moonlight
The vision of a sailboat illuminated by the moonlight


And you
Together with you, my love


Wouldn't that be heaven
The idea of experiencing such a moment would be pure bliss


A heaven just for two
The world would seem diminished to just the two of us in that moment


A soft breeze on a June night and you
The atmosphere created by a gentle breeze on a summer night would be amplified by being with my love


What a perfect setting
This scenario would be a flawless backdrop for the realization of our dreams


For letting dreams come true
The magic of the moment would allow us to make our greatest hopes and aspirations a reality


A chance to sail away
The opportunity to get away and escape from reality


To Sweetheart Bay
To a place where we can be alone together


Beneath the stars that shine
In a location where the stars are visible and the world feels grand and limitless


A chance to drift
The freedom to simply float along and let ourselves be carried away by the moment


For you to lift
The opportunity for physical intimacy and affection


Your tender lips to mine
A moment when we can express our love for each other with a tender, loving kiss


Some things dear
There are only a few things that hold such special meaning to me


That I long for are few
There are only a few possessions or desires in life that I am deeply attached to


Just give me a sailboat in the moonlight and you
All I really want is to experience this magical moment with you, the person I cherish above all else




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARMEN LOMBARDO, JOHN JACOB LOEB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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