Cat Stevens — Boy With A Moon & Star...
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Length: 5:52
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It's as if he knows something about life many of us have not woken to yet and most never will. <3
I much prefer Ron Meyers’ version because it avoids the problematic sex of Cat Stevens’ original. That fix also removes the troubling relationship between the song’s protagonist and the boy. (Those made me uncomfortable from the first hearing back when prog rock FM played this song.) But all that fixed, the tune is wonderful and the story delicate and affirming. Ron’s version is also in RP’s rotation.
grhorn wrote:
NO doubt.
"Cat" must be short for catatonia woo-woo all aboard
NO doubt.
fitzworld wrote:
We’re also totally on board with Beck now.
It's interesting that so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country with religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars. Religions are like corporations and they're all seeking to consolidate their power and increase their brand recognition. Religion is all about money.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
We’re also totally on board with Beck now.
"Cat" must be short for catatonia woo-woo all aboard
a_geek wrote:
I am not American, but unfortunately, it is not purely an issue of "violence begets violence", assuming that peace would beget peace. For my position on religion etc., a Muslim (flatmate for more than a year, even) told me into my face, that the Quran demands that I be killed, and henceforth made great effort to not even be together with me in the same room, much less talk to me. But I could see the glare and anger in his eyes. Yes, you Americans have poor judgement because you favour a rad ical islamic government over a progressive one everytime (not only in Iran), but the world would be much safer if Muslims were not present in our countries.
Wow. Just wow.
American sees things differently. And your flatmate knows less about Islam than an American Lutheran. But you keep living your truth.
I am not American, but unfortunately, it is not purely an issue of "violence begets violence", assuming that peace would beget peace. For my position on religion etc., a Muslim (flatmate for more than a year, even) told me into my face, that the Quran demands that I be killed, and henceforth made great effort to not even be together with me in the same room, much less talk to me. But I could see the glare and anger in his eyes. Yes, you Americans have poor judgement because you favour a rad ical islamic government over a progressive one everytime (not only in Iran), but the world would be much safer if Muslims were not present in our countries.
Wow. Just wow.
American sees things differently. And your flatmate knows less about Islam than an American Lutheran. But you keep living your truth.
fitzworld wrote:
I am not American, but unfortunately, it is not purely an issue of "violence begets violence", assuming that peace would beget peace. For my position on religion etc., a Muslim (flatmate for more than a year, even) told me into my face, that the Quran demands that I be killed, and henceforth made great effort to not even be together with me in the same room, much less talk to me. But I could see the glare and anger in his eyes. Yes, you Americans have poor judgement because you favour a rad ical islamic government over a progressive one everytime (not only in Iran), but the world would be much safer if Muslims were not present in our countries.
As always, you choose to paint all Muslims with the same broad brush. Meanwhile, this week our soldiers in Afghanistan shot and killed 9 little boys who were out gathering wood. And then we wonder why Muslims want to kill us. If a Muslim army occupied the US and killed innocent men, women, and children I suspect we'd hate them for the rest of time.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
aelfheld wrote:
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
I am not American, but unfortunately, it is not purely an issue of "violence begets violence", assuming that peace would beget peace. For my position on religion etc., a Muslim (flatmate for more than a year, even) told me into my face, that the Quran demands that I be killed, and henceforth made great effort to not even be together with me in the same room, much less talk to me. But I could see the glare and anger in his eyes. Yes, you Americans have poor judgement because you favour a rad ical islamic government over a progressive one everytime (not only in Iran), but the world would be much safer if Muslims were not present in our countries.
What a lovely song.
Always thought this started "God and his daughter", not "A gardener's daughter". Love the song, like my version better.
Cat Stevens pretty much rules the 100% Timeless category.
A gardener's daughter stopped me on my way, on the day I was to wed
It is you who I wish to share my body with she said
We'll find a dry place under the sky with a flower for a bed
And for my joy I will give you a boy with a moon and star
On his head
Her silver hair flowed in the air laying waves across the sun
Her hands were like the white sands, and her eyes had diamonds on
We left the road and headed up to the top of the whisper wood
And we walked 'till we came to where the holy magnolia stood
And there we laid cool in the shade singing songs and making love
It is you who I wish to share my body with she said
We'll find a dry place under the sky with a flower for a bed
And for my joy I will give you a boy with a moon and star
On his head
Her silver hair flowed in the air laying waves across the sun
Her hands were like the white sands, and her eyes had diamonds on
We left the road and headed up to the top of the whisper wood
And we walked 'till we came to where the holy magnolia stood
And there we laid cool in the shade singing songs and making love
With the naked earth beneath us and the universe above
The time was late my wedding wouldn't wait I was sad but I had to go
So while she was asleep I kissed her cheek for cheerio
The time was late my wedding wouldn't wait I was sad but I had to go
So while she was asleep I kissed her cheek for cheerio
The wedding took place and people came from many miles around
There was plenty merriment, cider and wine abound
But out of all that I recall I remembered the girl I met
'Cause she had given me something that my heart could not forget
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
There was plenty merriment, cider and wine abound
But out of all that I recall I remembered the girl I met
'Cause she had given me something that my heart could not forget
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
A year had passed and everything was just as it was a year before
As it was a year before
Until the gift that someone left, a basket by my door
And in there lay the fairest little baby crying to be fed
I got down on my knees and kissed the moon and star
Oh, oh on his head
As it was a year before
Until the gift that someone left, a basket by my door
And in there lay the fairest little baby crying to be fed
I got down on my knees and kissed the moon and star
Oh, oh on his head
As years went by the boy grew high and the village looked on in awe
They'd never seen anything like the boy with the moon and star before
And people would ride from far and wide just to seek the word he spread
I'll tell you everything I've learned
And love is all, he said
They'd never seen anything like the boy with the moon and star before
And people would ride from far and wide just to seek the word he spread
I'll tell you everything I've learned
And love is all, he said
Interesting how this material, although lovely, received consideration and radioplay while artists of towering brilliance like Nick Drake and Tim Buckley went ignored.
rtrudeau wrote:
Agree. I've been hearing more Cat lately, and am really glad about it.
More Angelsea, please!
Who gives a sh*t what this man's religion is? Isn't this discussion supposed to be about music? In this case, great music.
Thank you for playing this, Bill and Rebecca.
Thank you for playing this, Bill and Rebecca.
Agree. I've been hearing more Cat lately, and am really glad about it.
More Angelsea, please!
I like this song a lot and always have, but the part that bothers me is how the main character: 1) cheated on his fiance, and 2) seems to be enamored with the child who apparently embodies pure love. So what about his wife? And the children he (I assume) had with her? Mrs. Cat and they get the short end of the stick in this story.
ralphf wrote:
There are cretins in every society and culture who will use anything: religion, nationalism — disguised as patriotism, Corporate profit — to gain sociopathic control of someone / anyone. When they get control of education & the media, they begin to convince the average, otherwise peaceful person to commit murder against those outside the group. It works nearly 100% of the time. Part of this indoctrination involves labeling someone to make them evil, and therefore, "killable." The Commie Boogey man is dead — Muslim terrorists (many who were former allies of the Corporate Elite) are the new Boogeyman. The Muslim image is OBL, not the former Cat Stevens. If I were a Christian, I sure as hell wouldn't like to be represented by such people as Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps.
So, ralphfie, what is it that you represent? And by whom would you be represented? Do you just sit on the sidelines? Or are you more than a benchwarmer?
Please feel free to embarrass yourself further...
There are cretins in every society and culture who will use anything: religion, nationalism — disguised as patriotism, Corporate profit — to gain sociopathic control of someone / anyone. When they get control of education & the media, they begin to convince the average, otherwise peaceful person to commit murder against those outside the group. It works nearly 100% of the time. Part of this indoctrination involves labeling someone to make them evil, and therefore, "killable." The Commie Boogey man is dead — Muslim terrorists (many who were former allies of the Corporate Elite) are the new Boogeyman. The Muslim image is OBL, not the former Cat Stevens. If I were a Christian, I sure as hell wouldn't like to be represented by such people as Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps.
So, ralphfie, what is it that you represent? And by whom would you be represented? Do you just sit on the sidelines? Or are you more than a benchwarmer?
Please feel free to embarrass yourself further...
rdo wrote:
There are cretins in every society and culture who will use anything: religion, nationalism — disguised as patriotism, Corporate profit — to gain sociopathic control of someone / anyone. When they get control of education & the media, they begin to convince the average, otherwise peaceful person to commit murder against those outside the group. It works nearly 100% of the time. Part of this indoctrination involves labeling someone to make them evil, and therefore, "killable." The Commie Boogey man is dead — Muslim terrorists (many who were former allies of the Corporate Elite) are the new Boogeyman. The Muslim image is OBL, not the former Cat Stevens. If I were a Christian, I sure as hell wouldn't like to be represented by such people as Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps.
fitzworld wrote:
It's interesting that so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country with religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars. Religions are like corporations and they're all seeking to consolidate their power and increase their brand recognition. Religion is all about money.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
According to John Rawls, we can be tolerant of the intolerant only to the extent that it does not threaten our freedom of speech and general liberty. Stevens, or whatever his name is, supports murder of authors because they say what he does not like. This is not American Maybe that is why Americans don't like him. It's not his music, which I rather enjoy.
There are cretins in every society and culture who will use anything: religion, nationalism — disguised as patriotism, Corporate profit — to gain sociopathic control of someone / anyone. When they get control of education & the media, they begin to convince the average, otherwise peaceful person to commit murder against those outside the group. It works nearly 100% of the time. Part of this indoctrination involves labeling someone to make them evil, and therefore, "killable." The Commie Boogey man is dead — Muslim terrorists (many who were former allies of the Corporate Elite) are the new Boogeyman. The Muslim image is OBL, not the former Cat Stevens. If I were a Christian, I sure as hell wouldn't like to be represented by such people as Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps.
epod34 wrote:
What he said.
i was just thinking how i can hear cat's voice and i'm immediately transported back thirty odd years. his sound is so iconic (to me anyway) of a specific time and place in my life. how about sprinkling some more cat into your playlist RP?
What he said.
fitzworld wrote:
It's interesting that so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country with religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars. Religions are like corporations and they're all seeking to consolidate their power and increase their brand recognition. Religion is all about money.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
According to John Rawls, we can be tolerant of the intolerant only to the extent that it does not threaten our freedom of speech and general liberty. Stevens, or whatever his name is, supports murder of authors because they say what he does not like. This is not American Maybe that is why Americans don't like him. It's not his music, which I rather enjoy.
zanref wrote:
First was Honey and the Moon,
then Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,
and now Boy With A Moon & Star...
I guess Bill feels really moony right now
then Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,
and now Boy With A Moon & Star...
I guess Bill feels really moony right now
but please...no mooning here
Who gives a sh*t what this man's religion is? Isn't this discussion supposed to be about music? In this case, great music.
Thank you for playing this, Bill and Rebecca.
Thank you for playing this, Bill and Rebecca.
First was Honey and the Moon,
then Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,
and now Boy With A Moon & Star...
I guess Bill feels really moony right now
then Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,
and now Boy With A Moon & Star...
I guess Bill feels really moony right now
I suppose there is a place for his music here, but as much as I never cared for it, it seems that we're being inundated with his stuff now.
Thank you Bill 
Yanking this topic back to MUSIC (hello, people - this is a MUSI forum, not a political one!), I love Cat Stevens' music, whatever he chooses to call himself these days. I don't care about his beliefs, or anyone's beliefs. I love the music, and if the performer is a devil-worshipper, I might be a little reluctant to embrace that, but if it moves me to do something positive and good to nurture and strengthen the human bond, I'm all over iit.
I wish everyone could remember that we're all HUMAN BEINGS first. All that other stuff (political, religious, racial) is secondary, and really doesn't matter at all. Humans should treat humans with respect and honesty. Humans should help humans, no matter their differences. We're caretakers of this earth, and we need to join together to do good things for the earth and for the entire race of HUMANS living on it.
Thank you, Cat Stevens.
I wish everyone could remember that we're all HUMAN BEINGS first. All that other stuff (political, religious, racial) is secondary, and really doesn't matter at all. Humans should treat humans with respect and honesty. Humans should help humans, no matter their differences. We're caretakers of this earth, and we need to join together to do good things for the earth and for the entire race of HUMANS living on it.
Thank you, Cat Stevens.
Well said fitzworld. Music is universal, hopefully it can help us see past hatred and corruption.
fitzworld wrote:
fitzworld wrote:
As always, you choose to paint all Muslims with the same broad brush. Meanwhile, this week our soldiers in Afghanistan shot and killed 9 little boys who were out gathering wood. And then we wonder why Muslims want to kill us. If a Muslim army occupied the US and killed innocent men, women, and children I suspect we'd hate them for the rest of time.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
aelfheld wrote:
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
As always, you choose to paint all Muslims with the same broad brush. Meanwhile, this week our soldiers in Afghanistan shot and killed 9 little boys who were out gathering wood. And then we wonder why Muslims want to kill us. If a Muslim army occupied the US and killed innocent men, women, and children I suspect we'd hate them for the rest of time.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
We reap what we sow. Violence begets violence, and it's too late for Americans to keep blaming Muslims for all our troubles. We need to buck up and take responsibility for our poor judgment.
aelfheld wrote:
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
h8rhater wrote:
Why should I tolerate someone who will not tolerate me?
As I do not call for him or his coreligionists to be killed, enslaved, or reduced to a de jure second-class citizenship, your attempt to establish a moral equivalence fails.
We get that he has shown little tolerance since he changed his religion but how does showing NONE yourselves make you any different?? You are just the same.
Why should I tolerate someone who will not tolerate me?
As I do not call for him or his coreligionists to be killed, enslaved, or reduced to a de jure second-class citizenship, your attempt to establish a moral equivalence fails.
Stingray
(EUROPE)
Posted: Dec 30, 2010 - 16:42 < Reply >
And his wife cooks in a BURKA...
aelfheld wrote:
We get that he has shown little tolerance since he changed his religion but how does showing NONE yourselves make you any different?? You are just the same.
BTW: His classic music is, regardless of his current religious views, still just that: Classic. Thanks Bill for playing us some classic Cat!
(EUROPE)
Posted: Dec 30, 2010 - 16:42 < Reply >
And his wife cooks in a BURKA...
Sorry, cannot enjoy this HARDcore whiner!
aelfheld wrote:
Of course, these days, he'd be calling for the young lady to be stoned to death.
We get that he has shown little tolerance since he changed his religion but how does showing NONE yourselves make you any different?? You are just the same.
BTW: His classic music is, regardless of his current religious views, still just that: Classic. Thanks Bill for playing us some classic Cat!
ziakut wrote:
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
Well put. Imagine how disliked some people would suddenly become if they were judged on their inalienable right to be who they are. Tolerance and acceptance are hard for many to accomplish...but imagine the potential if they were to succeed in this.
And we all know how 'tolerant' and 'accepting' Muhammedans are.
Just ask Salman Rushdie.
Or Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Or Kirk Westergaard.
fitzworld wrote:
His music was never profound - sort of catchy and in tune with the sentiments of the time, but profundity is not a quality it ever possessed.
As for Christians playing "my way or the highway", try bringing a Bible into any Muslim country. Or converting from Muhammedism.
And what is 'peaceful' about joining the call for the death of a novelist?
<...> made his music somehow less profound.
Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, or atheist. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for that!
Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, or atheist. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for that!
His music was never profound - sort of catchy and in tune with the sentiments of the time, but profundity is not a quality it ever possessed.
As for Christians playing "my way or the highway", try bringing a Bible into any Muslim country. Or converting from Muhammedism.
And what is 'peaceful' about joining the call for the death of a novelist?
fitzworld wrote:
Well put. Imagine how disliked some people would suddenly become if they were judged on their inalienable right to be who they are. Tolerance and acceptance are hard for many to accomplish...but imagine the potential if they were to succeed in this.
It's interesting how so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country about religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, or atheist. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for that!
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, or atheist. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for that!
Well put. Imagine how disliked some people would suddenly become if they were judged on their inalienable right to be who they are. Tolerance and acceptance are hard for many to accomplish...but imagine the potential if they were to succeed in this.
It's interesting that so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country with religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars. Religions are like corporations and they're all seeking to consolidate their power and increase their brand recognition. Religion is all about money.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
Very fond of Cat Stevens. He wrote and performed some wonderful songs during his (I suspect drug-fueled) peak years. I loved this song the first time I heard it. By the third time, I was tired of it. As for rotation, once in about twenty years is about right for this one. And I missed it today! s'ok. lol
That being said, this "Cat" has always been an egotistical jerk. I do not understand the shock people felt when he displayed extremist stupidity as a newly converted Muslim. I think his motto will always be "Anything for attention."
That being said, this "Cat" has always been an egotistical jerk. I do not understand the shock people felt when he displayed extremist stupidity as a newly converted Muslim. I think his motto will always be "Anything for attention."
And his wife cooks in a BURKA...
Sorry, cannot enjoy this HARDcore whiner!
Sorry, cannot enjoy this HARDcore whiner!
Of course, these days, he'd be calling for the young lady to be stoned to death.
As a diehard Cat Stevens fan, I think this song is close to the core of his music. Clearly, it\'s not a song to play foten in rotation, but it\'s great that RP will play an old gem like this.
cat's voice makes me so relaxed i forget to work. but imho, that's a good thing :)
I grew up listening to Cat Steven\'s Greatest Hits record (and yes, it was an actualy vinyl record; you kids out there, ask someone over the age of 30 if you\'re not sure what I\'m talking about :) ).
I\'d never heard anything else by the Cat, until I started listening to RP. I like.
Which means more music to add to my \'to buy\' list. Thanks RP!
Just wanted to lend my voice to the positive vibes this song is generating. Good choice RP!
I was never a monsterously huge Cat Stevens fan, but this is a nice quiet place to rest for a couple minutes.
Works for me.
i was just thinking how i can hear cat\'s voice and i\'m immediately transported back thirty odd years. his sound is so iconic (to me anyway) of a specific time and place in my life. how about sprinkling some more cat into your playlist RP?
A strong voice in our youth and evidently, still stops many of us in our tracks.
what a tune... he has a way of making every song sound like it comes from the heart.
I just sitting here counting the decades since I\'ve heard this one...great choice
Quintessential Cat Stevens. :p
Nice Cat Stevens tune... there are better ones I think, but it\'s very nice to hear this one again!
How great to hear this song again. There is a lot to be said for Cat Stevens music. Reminds me of being in love in my 20\'s. One of his best, I think.
It's interesting that so many Amreicans are suddenly turned off to the Cat because he converted to Islam - as if that made his music somehow less profound. We're way too ate up in this country with religion. Christians like to play the "my way or the highway" game because they feel threatened by the realization that our nation is tiring of the god wars. Religions are like corporations and they're all seeking to consolidate their power and increase their brand recognition. Religion is all about money.
I love Cat - as a Muslim, Christian, atheist, whatever. He's truly a man of peace and I respect him for trying to keep his voice of reason in the public domain!
Religion is not all about money. Its primary purpose is coping with death.