The Moments of Happiness

"The Moments of Happiness" is the first number in Act 2 of Cats.

Context
This number begins slowly, as the cast gradually make their way onstage, often through the auditorium, playing with the audience as they go. Old Deuteronomy often spends the interval sitting alone onstage, reflecting on the tribe's energy and hostility towards Grizabella. Eventually he begins to sing, trying to explain the philosophy behind the tribe's customs. The song is quiet and reflective. The mystical twins, Coricopat and Tantomile, channel Old Deuteronomy's energy into Jemima, who explains the concept in far simpler language, singing "Moonlight, turn your face to the Moonlight".

The entire ensemble are onstage for this number, including Gus in his old form, ready to be introduced, and Grizabella hides on the edge of the stage.

Lyrics
The text is from T S Eliot's "The Dry Salvages" in Four Quartets

The moments of happiness. . . We had the experience but missed the meaning And approach to the meaning restores the experience In a different form, beyond any meaning

We can assign to happiness. ..

The past experience revived in the meaning Is not the experience of one life only But of many generations - not forgetting

Something that is probably quite ineffable Moonlight, turn your face to the moonlight Let your memory lead you Open up, enter in If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin