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Sister Moonshine Lyrics

Ooo-when I was a small boy,
Well, I could see the magic in a day,
But, now I'm just a poor boy,
Well, maybe it's the price you have to pay,
If you lock your dreams away
If no-one wants to listen.

What's the story,
I wish I'd been a minstrel,
Just think of all the maidens I could call,
Oh-I wish I'd been a gypsy,
Then maybe I could read the crystal ball,
'Cause surrounded by these walls,
Just makes me feel uneasy.

I said hey, Sister Moonshine
Won't you send me a little sun
I said hey, Sister moonshine
Who's a stranger to everyone.

So, -MAKE US ALL LAUGH-
Make us all cry
-MAKE US ALL GIVE-
Make us all try
Give us a secret, show us the light,
Well, strike up the music, light up the sky.

Mmm-If I was a lion,
Well, I could be the king off all the plains,
Mmm-If is was an eagle,
Well, maybe I could fly above the rains,
Oh, fly above the pain
But, I know I'm only foolin'

I said hey, Sister Moonshine,
Won't you send me a little sun,
I said hey, Sister Moonshine,
Who's a stranger to everyone.

So, -MAKE US ALL LAUGH-
Make us all cry,
-MAKE US ALL GIVE-
Make us all cry,
I said hey, Sister Moonshine
I said hey, Sister Moonshine,
I said hey, said hey
I said hey, I said hey Sister Moonshine.
4 Meanings

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Cover art for Sister Moonshine lyrics by Supertramp

Well, moonshine is a term for homemade distilled alcohol. Maybe Roger's turning to strong alcohol to escape from the difficulties in his life: the verses imply loneliness, regret, and pain. He's overcome with regret, because he "lock[ed] [his] dreams away," dreams of being a minstrel, gypsy, or other such adventurous and fun childhood fantasy. Now that he's an adult, he drinks to escape. "Sister Moonshine" is his only friend.

Or, how about a completely different interpretation? Roger's simply personifying actual moonlight. That's essentially what moonlight is, a little sun in the middle of the night. Perhaps the darkness of the night symbolizes his sadness.

Meanwhile, sunlight symbolizes childhood's innocence and imagination, "see[ing] the magic in a day." Now that he's grown, he's lost sight of his dreams, and is shrouded in permanent nighttime. He knows he can't return to childhood entirely, but still he hopes to regain a small measure of imagination and ambition by asking Sister Moonshine to send them; to give him the secret to enjoying himself; to light up the sky and his life.

At any rate, I think this is a good song. Hopefully my post will start a discussion. Please feel free to disagree with me, or to add to my ideas.

Well, I agree with the latter comments, but not the first one about drinking.

Cover art for Sister Moonshine lyrics by Supertramp

I don't know what it means I just love everything about it. They were such a tight band and had amazing and distintive voices. Really one of a kind.

Cover art for Sister Moonshine lyrics by Supertramp

It's about me and my landlady. I am Catholic / she is Protestant, hence: sister moonshine.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Sister Moonshine lyrics by Supertramp

"I'm a stranger, to everyone" to me says it all. It means to be alone, rejected and with no friends or family. Booze, (Sister Moonshine) is your best friend when you are alone. Of course she is a deceiving siren who makes it worse in the long run. Love the song though... it's upbeat and sad...

 
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