I see you shining like a child, like a diamond in the sky
And they named you for the starlight that boats are guided by
And I hoped that you might be the one to show me to true North
But a star that shines so bright will lead a sailor from his course

They say the stars that meet men's eyes have crossed a million miles and years
And you always were so far away whenever you were near
Still I hoped that you might be the one the fates had given me to
O, but I was born beneath a star much nearer, dear, than you

Goodnight starlight, goodnight starlight, the moon is sad and gray
I see you shining, even though you are a million miles away
Goodbye starlight, goodbye starlight, your starlight is so slow
I see you shining, though you were gone a million years ago

You shine for me so constantly, I do not understand
How even now you shine as though our night had never ended
You shine for me so easily, but a man can't hold the sky
And I must fall and find the earth again, goodbye starlight, goodbye

Goodnight starlight, goodnight starlight, the moon is sad and gray
I see you shining, even though you are a million miles away
Goodbye starlight, goodbye starlight, your starlight is so slow
I see you shining, though you were gone a million years ago

Goodnight starlight, goodnight starlight, we shone the best we could
The dawn is breaking soon and the aching of the day will do us good
Goodbye starlight, goodbye starlight, your starlight stays so long
And I'm still wishing for the same bright star that I've been wishing on