The moon
Patricia Barber Lyrics

The lyrics of Patricia Barber's song The Moon seem to be a combination of references to Greek mythology, theater, and human emotions. The first stanza of the song conjures up images of the underworld, Erebus, and Chaos, the force that preceded creation in Greek mythology. The lines "when the curtain rises and the houselights dim" may refer to the opening of a theatrical performance when the audience's attention is focused on the stage. The actress with "whitecake on her face" seems to be referring to a mime or a performer with a painted face, and her thoughts about "laying a Universal egg" are open to interpretation. The next stanza speaks of the universality of human emotions; a broken heart is painful no matter who experiences it, and it takes a great deal of skill to turn emotions into a performance that can illuminate someone else's world.

The third stanza of the song is an ode to the moon's powers, and how it can evoke strong emotions in humans. The moon has been considered a powerful force for centuries and has been the subject of many poems, songs, and stories. The lines "I am old, but I can see for miles and miles" may refer to the moon's age, and how it has been observing the Earth for eons. The moon is often referred to as "silver," "gold," "white," and "blue," depending on its phase, and the song's use of these colors may refer to the moon's changing appearance. The fourth stanza, with its references to the moon's ability to move tides and influence moods, seems to reinforce this idea. The final line of the stanza, "cause I can't shine without you," may be the moon's way of acknowledging the important role that humans play in its life.