The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra Lyrics
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On a hilltop high, you and I,
Shiny and new, a cottage that two can fill.
And we'll be pleased to be called
"The folks who live on the hill."
Someday we may be adding
A thing or two, a wing or two.
But we will always be called
"The folks who live on the hill."
Our veranda will command a view of meadows green,
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen.
And when the kids grow up and leave us,
We'll sit and look at the same old view, just we two.
Darby and Joan who, used to be Jack and Jill,
The folks like to be called
What they have always been called,
"The folks who live on the hill."
This song, "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," is a romantic and aspirational ballad that speaks to the dream of building a life together atop a hill. The lyrics detail the couple's idyllic future cottage, which they plan to fill with their love, while their veranda looks over the serene meadows that surround them. Even as they anticipate changes and expansions to their home, they will always remain proud to be known as "the folks who live on the hill."
As an interpretter, it's worth noting that this song is a perfect encapsulation of the post-World War II American dream. The idea of building a house, raising a family, and growing old together in a peaceful and harmonious environment was a fantasy that many Americans clung to. The lyrics represent not just a longing for a particular kind of place, but also the feeling of stability and control that came with owning property and establishing a life rooted in a particular spot. In many ways, this song is a celebration of the idea of "home" itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday we'll build a home
At some point in the future, we will construct a place where we can live
On a hilltop high, you and I
This abode will be situated at the peak of a mountain, where we both can reside
Shiny and new, a cottage that two can fill.
The house will be fresh, bright, and capable of providing space for only two of us
And we'll be pleased to be called
We will feel honored to be known or referred to as
"The folks who live on the hill."
People will recognize us as the pair who inhabit the topmost house on the mountain
Someday we may be adding
There may come a time when we want to include additional features
A thing or two, a wing or two.
We may want to add a few more things or another section to our abode
We will make changes as any family will.
Each family will evolve with its own needs and wants, and we will adjust our home accordingly
But we will always be called
However, people will still refer to us as
"The folks who live on the hill."
Our position on the mountain will remain an identifying factor for us
Our veranda will command a view of meadows green,
We will have a porch from where we can overlook lush and verdant fields
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen.
It will be a vista that demands attention due to its natural beauty
And when the kids grow up and leave us,
When our children become adults and move away from us,
We'll sit and look at the same old view, just we two.
We will reminisce, staring at the same view, but now only the two of us will be present
Darby and Joan who, used to be Jack and Jill,
We will be like Darby and Joan, who were formerly Jack and Jill
The folks like to be called
We prefer to be addressed and identified as
What they have always been called,
We want to be recognized by the title that we have long had,
"The folks who live on the hill."
Which is "The Couple who Reside on the Summit"
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar II Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind