Uploaded December 2013 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Moses was composed by James Phillips, a much respected South African musician who died tragically in 1995. He only lived one year of his life in something that he'd always yearned for, a free South Africa. He wrote this song just after Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in prison. The chorus line sums up James' hopes and fears: "Hey Moses, we think you're the best, please don't turn out like all of the rest". I think James would not have been disappointed by the way Madiba turned out.
I have taken the liberty of nicking images (low res unfortunately) off the internet to illustrate the atmosphere in South Africa in the week of mourning. Thanks to all that took the photos, I know not who you are. Also ta to First Rand (the opening) and Nandos (the closing) - these are two corporate media placements that appeared just after Madiba passed away. Thanks to Zapiro for his brilliant as usual cartoons. The footage of James Phillips & The Lurchers was shot at the Tandoor in Johannesburg in 1993 odd. Oh, and thanks Mr President for the cameo.
The song is from the album Sunny Skies on Shifty Records (http://www.shifty.co.za). Download it here:
jamesphillips.bandcamp.com/album/sunny-skies
Watch "Famous for being Famous", the documentary on James Phillips here: vimeo.com/ondemand/jamesphillips
LYRICS: Moses (James Phillips) published by Shifty Music (ZA)
Hey Moses, you're back with us now
Whose going to save us from the sacred cows
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Hey Moses, you put a smile on my face
but can you save this place
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Because there's so much confusion,
I'm so helpless, I don't know what's next.
Help me!
Hey Moses, you've got the job
but can you tame the mob
Hey Moses, you're looking so cool
I just hope you can't be fooled
Hey Moses, you've got a lot of grace
but can you save this place
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Because there's so much confusion,
I'm so helpless, I don't know what's next.
Help me!
To walk down the beach for a year with no fear
and to fly in a wind that's not ill
and to know, just to know
it won't end in the streets
passing by
and the sky won't come down on our heads
safe in bed.
Hey Moses won't you bring out the bells
and send the devil to hell
right out and send the devil to hell
One day we will find that misty mountain
And we will see there the things we see
Hope for tomorrow
And we can live our lives in peace.
Help me!
Moses was composed by James Phillips, a much respected South African musician who died tragically in 1995. He only lived one year of his life in something that he'd always yearned for, a free South Africa. He wrote this song just after Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in prison. The chorus line sums up James' hopes and fears: "Hey Moses, we think you're the best, please don't turn out like all of the rest". I think James would not have been disappointed by the way Madiba turned out.
I have taken the liberty of nicking images (low res unfortunately) off the internet to illustrate the atmosphere in South Africa in the week of mourning. Thanks to all that took the photos, I know not who you are. Also ta to First Rand (the opening) and Nandos (the closing) - these are two corporate media placements that appeared just after Madiba passed away. Thanks to Zapiro for his brilliant as usual cartoons. The footage of James Phillips & The Lurchers was shot at the Tandoor in Johannesburg in 1993 odd. Oh, and thanks Mr President for the cameo.
The song is from the album Sunny Skies on Shifty Records (http://www.shifty.co.za). Download it here:
jamesphillips.bandcamp.com/album/sunny-skies
Watch "Famous for being Famous", the documentary on James Phillips here: vimeo.com/ondemand/jamesphillips
LYRICS: Moses (James Phillips) published by Shifty Music (ZA)
Hey Moses, you're back with us now
Whose going to save us from the sacred cows
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Hey Moses, you put a smile on my face
but can you save this place
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Because there's so much confusion,
I'm so helpless, I don't know what's next.
Help me!
Hey Moses, you've got the job
but can you tame the mob
Hey Moses, you're looking so cool
I just hope you can't be fooled
Hey Moses, you've got a lot of grace
but can you save this place
Hey Moses, I think you're the best
Please don't turn out like all of the rest
Because there's so much confusion,
I'm so helpless, I don't know what's next.
Help me!
To walk down the beach for a year with no fear
and to fly in a wind that's not ill
and to know, just to know
it won't end in the streets
passing by
and the sky won't come down on our heads
safe in bed.
Hey Moses won't you bring out the bells
and send the devil to hell
right out and send the devil to hell
One day we will find that misty mountain
And we will see there the things we see
Hope for tomorrow
And we can live our lives in peace.
Help me!
