From soft mellotron melodies to meandering guitar lines, his music either guides the listener through frameworks of simple motives, rhythms and sounds; or he presents almost archetypical song structures. Lyrics like, Laura, Laura, come back are repeated, establishing a mood and confessional qualities. His weary, effeminate voice can be guileless - a contrast to his usual character in the media.
His darker qualities can still be heard in songs like Ass Fucker (Reprise) and in the awkward harmonies of A Picture of Her. However they still sit next to the hazy tones accompanying the words, Goodnight baby/sleep tight/you and me.
Moonchild
Vincent Gallo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Lovely moonchild
Dreaming in the shadow
of the willow.
Talking to the trees of the
cobweb strange
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.
The song "Moonchild" by Vincent Gallo is a poetic and dreamlike ode to a mysterious female character. The first verse describes her as a moonchild, dancing in the shallows of a river and dreaming in the shadow of a willow tree. The next verse paints an even more magical portrait of her, talking to the trees, sleeping on the steps of a fountain, and waving silver wands to the night-birds' song. She is waiting for the sun on the mountain, perhaps symbolizing a hope for enlightenment or revelation.
In the chorus, Gallo repeats the description of her as a lovely moonchild, gathering the flowers in a garden and drifting on the echoes of the hours. The final verse describes her sailing on the wind in a milk white gown, dropping circle stones on a sundial, and playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn. She is still waiting for a smile from a sun child, perhaps suggesting a desire for human connection or a need for warmth and light.
Overall, "Moonchild" is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the power of nature and the mysterious energy that flows through all living things. Gallo's poetic language and dreamlike imagery leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Call her moonchild
Refer to her as someone who's mysterious and unattainable, like the moon
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Moving gracefully and carelessly in a peaceful and secluded area of nature
Lovely moonchild
She's a charming and fascinating person, yet is distant and hard to reach
Dreaming in the shadow of the willow
Imagining and reflecting in a serene and empathetic environment
Talking to the trees of the cobweb strange
Engaging and communicating with an unfamiliar and complex ecosystem
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Taking a peaceful nap beside a decorative water feature
Waving silver wands to the night-birds song
Making mysterious gestures towards the nocturnal animals, as if casting a spell
Waiting for the sun on the mountain
Anticipating the moment of warmth and radiance, before starting the day's adventures
She's a moonchild
She's someone whose personality, thoughts and motives are influenced more by the metaphysical and imaginative than the mundane
Gathering the flowers in a garden
Picking and cherishing the delicate beauty of nature's creations
Lovely moonchild
Again, she's an enchanting figure who's unreachable and hard to fathom
Drifting on the echoes of the hours
Letting the passage of time play out, while she goes with the flow, musing on her thoughts and feelings
Sailing on the wind in a milk white gown
Embarking on an ethereal and graceful journey, wearing light clothes that enhance the beauty of the surroundings
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Looking for mysterious symbols, truths and stories embedded in a timeless time-keeping device
Playing hide and seek with the ghosts of dawn
Interacting with the magical and eerie presences at the edge of night, before they vanish and greet the new day
Waiting for a smile from a sun child
Hoping for a ray of sunshine, an auspicious sign or opportunity that will lighten her spirit and inspire her next adventure
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kake1112kaek
i luv how unexpected this scene was it added so much to the movie - one of my favourites ever
@halwasserman7905
I don't think enough people appreciate the excellent dancing skills of Christina Ricci.
@skylarveruca
This was the best scene in the movie. It’s such a beautiful artsy farts movie. I don’t see too many movies like this anymore❤ poetic
@ariadopa
christina such a beautiful soul and amazing actress ❤
@angelwolf9029
This is a wonderful flick to watch at night
@RizkiAnjani
This movie introduced me to King Crimson.
@6tiva
my favorite part of the movie
@Reid_One
Mine, as well
@christosafoukatoudis3028
Ti malakas
@stevensaulsbury601
The character "Billy", has to be the most Un-likeable, in movie History. Christina Ricci was spellbinding as always. She made the movie almost believeable