“Who Owns the Moon”
Verse 1
I was walking home at twilight
When the city lights came on
And the silver sky above me
Felt like an old familiar song
There she was, high and quiet
Like she’s been since time began
And I wondered for a moment
If she’s watching every man
Chorus
Tell me, who owns the moon
When she rises soft and bright
Is she mine for just a minute
Or for lovers in the night
Is she promised to the dreamers
Or the hearts that fall too soon
I keep asking every evening
Who owns the moon
Verse 2
Some folks say she’s for the poets
Who can’t sleep until they write
Others swear she’s for the lonely
Who find comfort in her light
But when I’m standing on the rooftop
And the world is drifting far
I could swear she leans in closer
Like she knows just who we are
Chorus
Tell me, who owns the moon
When she paints the clouds in blue
Is she shared among the hopeful
Or the ones who made it through
Does she shine for every heartbeat
Or for one sweet midnight tune
I keep asking to the heavens
Who owns the moon
Bridge
Maybe she belongs to no one
Maybe that’s the secret plan
A reminder in the darkness
There’s a light for every man
And the truth the night keeps hiding
I’ll discover soon enough
She was never meant for keeping
Only meant for giving love
Final Chorus
So who owns the moon
When she glows above the sea
Maybe no one really holds her
Still she feels like home to me
She’s a gift we never purchased
But we treasure like a boon
I guess maybe that’s the answer
No one owns the moon
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Seriously though - From AI Overview:
No one owns the moon because of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which states that space is a global commons belonging to all countries, not to be claimed by any single nation. While individuals and companies can sell "lunar real estate," these claims are not legally valid and are often considered novelties or scams. The treaty was designed to prevent any country from claiming sovereignty over the moon and mandates that its exploration and use should benefit all humankind.
The Outer Space Treaty: This international agreement prohibits any nation from claiming sovereignty over the moon or any other celestial body.
Global Commons: The treaty designates the moon as a "global commons," meaning it is open for exploration and use by all states, but no one can take ownership of it.
Individual Claims: Any claims to lunar property by individuals or private companiesare not legally enforceable, as they lack the authority of a nation-state to recognize them under the treaty.
Enforcement: Because no country can own the moon, and because the treaty makes no provision for an international authority to regulate it, the only way to stop harmful activities or resource exploitation is through the cooperation of sovereign states. More informative, but kinda boring lyrically.
