- Album This song officially appears on the Post Card (UK version - Stereo) LP.
- Timeline This song has been recorded in 1968
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Early October 1968 to early December 1968
Related songs
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Happiness Runs (Pebble And The Man)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
Officially appears on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
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Song facts
“Voyage Of The Moon” is a song written by Donovan and recorded by Mary Hopkin for her debut album “Post Card” released in 1969. Paul McCartney produced the whole album and played acoustic guitar on this track.
‘Voyage Of The Moon’ is just as accomplished [as ‘Lord Of The Reedy River‘], as Mary takes delicate steps over the twin guitars of McCartney and [Donovan] Leitch.
From the liner notes of the 2010 reissue of “Post Card“:
I had hardly heard this one before I sang it in the studio. The way we did it was that there were just the three of us, Paul and Don playing guitar — it’s a Donovan song — and I sang it straight from Don’s book the one in which he writes them down. It was such a lovely song that maybe if I learned it, it wouldn’t have meant so much. This way, I just sang it straight out and it seemed to come so naturally. It’s a beautiful song full of lovely pictures and images. Maybe they don’t come across, to other people, but I could feel them while I was singing.
Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969
We recorded this one at EMI. It was a Friday night, and Don just came into the studio. We’d recorded sin “Happiness Runs” earlier in the week and we thought how about asking him if he’s got anymore. He said how about these, and got out his big book! It’s a terrific feeling singing Donovan songs, because they’ve got so much in them.
Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969
The three songs by Donovan are among the favourites on the LP… I like Donovan’s songs very much. One is ‘Happiness Runs.’ It’s just about happiness — a lighthearted song with orchestral accompaniment. But I also play guitar all the way through. ‘Voyage Of The Moon’ is a typical lovely Donovan song. This features two guitars behind the vocal. They’re played by Paul McCartney and Donovan. I don’t play here. I just sing. Donovan does a bit of singing from time to time. If you listen hard you can hear him. And Paul also plays a little bit on other tracks. The third Donovan song is called ‘Lord Of The Reedy River’, again accompanied by Donovan and Paul. This is a very soft and dreamy thing.
Mary Hopkin – From Melody Maker – December 28, 1968
Last updated on September 26, 2021
Lyrics
The moon is like a boat, my love
Of lemon peel afloat, my love
And with a?sail?of gauze, my?love
She seems to slightly pause
Upon her?silent way
While on her starry way
I see her pearly decks, my love
Set in with diamond specks, my love
I see her pearly mast, my love
Far from her seashell past
And softly does she sway
While on her starry way
Of silk they have been spun, my love
Her ropes that limply run, my love
Down to her carved prow, my love
Down to her mermaid prow
And gently does she sway
While on her starry way
She seems to linger long, my love
As if spelled by a song, my love
But know she tarries not, my love
Her journey unforgot
She makes her starry way
She makes her starry way
All in the sea of sky, my love
The moonships sail and fly, my love
And many are their kind, my love
Though all need but one wind
To make their starry ways
To make their starry ways
And there will come a time, my love
Oh, may it be in mine, my love
When men will proudly rise, my love
And board to sail the skies
Moonships from all the spheres
Moonships from all the spheres
The men be bathed in light, my love
The women clothed in white, my love
All in that wonderous fleet, my love
As each the other meets
Will smile and softly sing
Will smile and softly sing
And on some distant sand, my love
The ships will gently land, my love
Fair folk will meet them there, my love
With flowing golden hair
And great will be their joy
And great will be their joy
The moon is like a boat, my love
Of lemon peel afloat, my love
And with a sail of gauze, my love
She seems to slightly pause
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1969
5:52 • Studio version • A1 • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Post Card (UK version - Stereo)
LP • Released in 1969
5:52 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
LP • Released in 1969
5:52 • Studio version • A • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Vocals
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Official album • Released in 2010
5:52 • Studio version • A2010 • Stereo • 2010 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Acoustic guitar, Producer
- Donovan :
- Acoustic guitar
- Ken Scott :
- Engineering, Mixing engineer
- Mary Hopkin :
- Vocals
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Alex Wharton :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Early October 1968 to early December 1968
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Abbey Road ; Trident Studios ; Morgan Studios, London, UK
Live performances
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
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