I Know The Mountains
(guitar tuned down a whole step (DGCFAD)."Slack tuning")

I recall writing this early in the a.m. Sept. 8, 1996. It's yet another song about the mountains. If ever there were a lyric mistakenly taken for an off-brand version of bathroom humor this could be the one (It's "torrid sea", not "toilet seat"). Seems an irreverant observation for one of the more popular and meaningful songs off of "Land of the Living" but maybe that's ok by you folks.

I still revel in the simplicity and catchiness of this chorus. A memorable moment when those words were released from pen to paper. Flowed forth as if they were meant to be........ A song of repetition: both in the error of my ways and the grace by which those moments are forgiven and forgotten. The sea, they say, has no memory. So perhaps the nautical setting for this song is quite appropriate. There seems to be no end to the faithfulness and patience of the Maker of broken records......

As Tim Robbins' character, Andy Dufresne, in "The Shawshank Redemption" states, "Remember that hope is a good thing, perhaps the best of things, and a good thing never dies".....

don't drink the water, don't breathe the air
something's not right, I am aware
hold my calls and stop the press
wait for a signal or any S.O.S.

drop my anchor, I must go ashore
to see for myself the wounds my vessel bore
map and compass lost I merely wander
but when I run away do you grow fonder?

I know the mountains will rise high again
I know the letters will make words again
I know the winter will grow warm again

a tiny man gets lost on a torrid sea
but most proclaim your victory
all I have, I give to you
tear down these walls that you see through

I know the mountains will rise high again
I know the letters will make words again
I know the winter will grow warm again

do you grow tired of telling me the same thing?
you must grow tired of telling me the same thing

I know the mountains will rise high again
I know the letters will make words again
I know the winter will grow warm again
I know the mountains will rise high again