Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “The Sleigh in the Moon” by Sufjan Stevens
The Sleigh in the Moon by Sufjan Stevens is a whimsical song about reflecting on a wintery night of family memories. The imagery of a lone sleigh illuminated under the moonlight is used as a metaphor for a memory that will never be forgotten. The eerie backing track of bells and sweeping tones give the listener a feeling of nostalgia and longing for times past.
The song signifies the desire to take solace in memories of people and experiences from the past as a way to calm our turbulent emotions in the present. The lyrics, in particular, emphasize this idea of cherishing memories of simpler times – like a “Starry, starry night, in the Milky Way / With Grandma and Grandpa so bright”. Sufjan Stevens conveys this sentiment perfectly, as he passionately croons the words “May we dwell in our times of bliss / Now and forever, they will never miss”.
The Sleigh in the Moon is ultimately a story of how we can take comfort in our memories, no matter how challenging life might seem in the moment. Sufjan Stevens’ beautiful lyrics encourages us to remember our loved ones and reflect on the sweet, joyful moments as a source of hope.