Barracuda Moon

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: David Nelson

A new New Riders song, introduced in 2009.

Rocket on the launch-pad, pointed at the sky
Anybody got a match, if not we're high and dry
Fade-away sunlight, eye to eye with Mars
So much moonlight can't even see the stars

Barracuda, barracuda moon
Fiddler on the heart string, give another tune
Barracuda moon, baby, barracuda moon
Ain't no alligator, just a barracuda moon

Dancing in the footprints of those who've gone before
Round the room and up the wall and out the double door
This must be the future, we stumbled here at last
At first glance can't tell it from the recent past

First we had to tango with the letter of the law
Very fancy stepping, likes of which you never saw
Now we're on the launch-pad, powder safe and dry
Down to shaking hands now, and waving our goodbye

Barracuda, barracuda moon
Fiddler on the heart string, give another tune
Time to shift to passing gear, got to make it soon
Unless I miss I guess we've got a barracuda moon

Been in San Francisco beneath a copper cloud
First mistake we made was coming on too proud
The next mistake we made was not being proud enough
It's always all or nothing, if you don't like it, tough

Sunlight on the fade, time to whistle up a tune
By the Gulf of Tonkin 'neath a barracuda moon
August, Nineteen Sixty Four, pick up your cards and bet
Careful what you ask for, it might be what you get

Barracuda, barracuda moon
Fiddler on the heart string, give another tune
Barracuda moon, baby, barracuda moon
Ain't no alligator, just a barracuda moon