Moon Over Michigan

1946 postcard of Sheboygan’s lakefront

Long before I ever saw the Pacific or Atlantic oceans, there was Lake Michigan. The third-largest lake in the world sat just a few blocks away from the house I grew up in; it was my backyard, and it’s been a constant presence in my life. I built forts in its overlooks as a kid, cruised its shoreline as a teenager, fished it from piers and jetties, and swam in its numbing waters at North Beach.

I was incredibly lucky to have my friend Andrea Zonn (the pride of neighboring Illinois) play violin and sing with me on this song.

Ferry lights are fading in the distance

A quiet settles on the lake

Listening for secrets by the shoreline

Underneath the stars of Hika Bay

There’s a moon, tonight, over Michigan

And the light dances on her waves

Look to the east and make a wish again

Wisconsin, I will stay

Why I ever left, I can’t remember

So many years have gone around the bend

Let’s sing a song of new beginnings

It’s so good to see you, my old friend

There’s a moon, tonight, over Michigan

And the light dances on her waves

Look to the east and make a wish again

Wisconsin, I will stay

It’s in the trees up in the Northwoods

It’s in the waters flowing through the Dells

Standing in this spot of moonlight

I’m completely underneath your spell

There’s a moon, tonight, over Michigan

And the light dances on her waves

Look to the east and make a wish again

Wisconsin, I will stay