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Donovan — There is a Mountain
Album: Atlantis
Avg rating:
6.6

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Total ratings: 141









Released: 1974
Length: 2:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(no lyrics available)
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                                                  Mountains in the fog
                                                  Disappear and reappear
                                                  Magic purple mist

For those that remember Haiku, you will forgive my indulgence.  I've seen mountains appear and reappear many times.  Donovan sings it better, however. 


I don't know, I think its more of a buddhist song :P -Bright Shadow
ee gads.
Look, it couldn't be easier. Mountains come out of the sky - they stand there! It's just that simple.
ktnsb wrote:
I always assumed he was talking about the rock cycle. You know, orographic uplift, erosion, subduction, repeat.
It'd be an even longer song, then.
I always assumed he was talking about the rock cycle. You know, orographic uplift, erosion, subduction, repeat.
I always thought he was talking about the caterpillar moving, you know the kind that moves like an inch worm, thus "first there is a mountain(Rear end moved to the head) then there is no mountain(head moves forward)then there is(rear end to the front again) what's so hard about that?
... " " ...
coloradojohn wrote:
When I saw him from the second row at The Rainbow in Denver in the mid 80s, he said this song was about an experience he had when he was climbing a mountain in Japan. He noticed that when you stand at a distance, there is a mountain. Then, when you are going up the thing, and it's steep, you can't even see it. Then, when you get to the top, there it is again. And lots of others, too. He let us dangle a bit off the precipice of that as he eased his way into another gem, "Do Ya Hear Me Now?" and we let the words wash over us like the chords he played, and all was well stirred up inside our souls.
Thank you...I was wondering......
i always imagined driving down a road in a hilly area: first there is a mountain, then there is no mountain.
Yay! I was wondering when I would hear Donovan on here...
Now, you just need to play "Hey, Gyp", and I'll be really ecstatic.
I think drugs are necessary to enjoy this. They certainly were when this first came out. I don't get it now.
Or how about this one?
Had to up the volume for this one. Ya just gotta sing along...
I'm still confused! Is this the mountain that he's talking about?
What a sweet, fun song! Reminds me of when I was a little girl and heard it for the first time...
When I saw him from the second row at The Rainbow in Denver in the mid 80s, he said this song was about an experience he had when he was climbing a mountain in Japan. He noticed that when you stand at a distance, there is a mountain. Then, when you are going up the thing, and it's steep, you can't even see it. Then, when you get to the top, there it is again. And lots of others, too. He let us dangle a bit off the precipice of that as he eased his way into another gem, "Do Ya Hear Me Now?" and we let the words wash over us like the chords he played, and all was well stirred up inside our souls.
my favorite zen saying thingy.... before zen, chop wood carry water, after zen, chop wood carry water. pretty much sums it all up. or First there is a mountain. Then there is no mountain. Then there is. "A government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."-Goldwater
Mugro wrote:
Wait! I am confused. Is there a mountain, or not?
Well... first their is, then their is not, then it's back again. Must be the drugs... or the electrical bananas .
Wait! I am confused. Is there a mountain, or not?
bronorb wrote:
I might be wrong, but I think "Mountain Jam" by the Allman Brothers uses this same melody. Thus the name.
yeah...and the Dead incorporated this as well, their own Mountain Jam; part of it's on "Anthem of the Sun" and this was when they were touring w/the Allmans...what a show that must have been...
this song is a hoot! i saw him perform this back in the 80s at club casino in hampton, nh. It was great!
ahh yes.... the old banana smoker. Don't think that I've heard this in 35 - 40 years. Comes across amazingly well!
cosmic cowboy, in the zone...
I might be wrong, but I think "Mountain Jam" by the Allman Brothers uses this same melody. Thus the name.
Faaar ouuuuuuut. Donovan at his dippy-tripppy-hippiest.
Mari (below) nailed it. I'm really digging this RP Donovan groove.
pretty goofy
Okay, so I had completely forgotten about this song. Suddenly I am a small child again.
fun, whatever he's talking about!
Mari wrote:
I think Donovan, from this song forth, brought Zen to the Western World, way back, when?
Skillful means!
Goota love Donovan and his happy music!
Just what I need to get me swaying through my day!
This was drival then, and it still is.
I think Donovan, from this song forth, brought Zen to the Western World, way back, when? '69? I mean, read, understand: The lock upon my garden gates a snail, That's what it is The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, That's what it is First there is a mountain, Then there is no mountain, Then there is! The caterpillar sheds his skin, To find the butterfly within Caterpillar sheds his skin, To find the butterfly within First there is a mountain, Then there is no mountain, Then there is! First there is a mountain Then there is no mountain! Oh Juanita, Oh Juanita, Oh Juanita, I called your name Oh, the snow will be a blinding sight to see As it lies on yonder hillside Lock upon my garden gate's a snail, That's what it is The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, That's what it is Caterpillar sheds his skin To find a butterfly within The caterpillar sheds his skin, To find the butterfly within (everybody everybody!) Ah, my-my. First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is. First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is! First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is. First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is! First there is a mountain ... ...
Better living through lotsa drugs...
aww i had forgotten about this song! it reminds me of my little sista. what a great song for a summer day!
Love Donovan.
just love it.