Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Mountain Cry
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for warmth and a place to hide
She took me in as the day grew long
As we lay by the fire our love grew strong
I left the city for its dirt and grime
The factory walls to make mountain time
I found love, but she slipped away
I keep on looking till this very day
For my baby...my baby...(so far)...who's gone away
I'll search... search this land till my dyin' day
A sweet loving woman, make a mountain
Make a mountain
Cry
Cry
Make a mountain
Cry
Mountain cry
Make a mountain (mountain cry)
Come on baby
Mountain cry
Mountain cry
Mountain...mountain...
Make a mountain cry
The lyrics of Blues Traveler's song, Mountain Cry, describe a man's search for love in the mountains after leaving behind the city and its accompanying dirt and grime. The man found love with a woman he met on a mountainside, but she eventually slipped away, leaving him alone. Despite this loss, the man remains committed to searching for his baby (i.e., his lost love) and finding a sweet and loving woman who can make a mountain cry. The repetition of the phrase "mountain cry" in the chorus emphasizes the man's desire for a love that is strong enough to move the earth and affect the elements.
The song speaks to the human need for connection, particularly in the face of hardships and challenges. The mountain setting and the imagery of fire and wood evoke a primal and earthy sensibility, which, in turn, highlights the importance of raw emotion and passion in love. The final lines of the song, with their repeated use of the phrase "mountain cry," suggest that the man's search for love is ongoing and has the power to move mountains, evoking a sense of hope and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I met my girl on a mountain side
I found my love in a peaceful place amidst nature
Looking for warmth and a place to hide
On the mountain, the warmth and comfort of nature gave us solace and a place to call our own
She took me in as the day grew long
As our time together lengthened, we grew closer and more intimate
As we lay by the fire our love grew strong
The natural beauty of the mountain fueled the fire of our love and brought us closer together
I left the city for its dirt and grime
I sought refuge from the urban chaos and pollution of the city by retreating to the mountain
The factory walls to make mountain time
I left behind the monotony and stress of work to spend time in the peaceful solitude of the mountain
I found love, but she slipped away
While the mountain brought me love and joy, it didn't last long and soon came to an end
Now I'm alone, but here I'll stay
Despite the loneliness, I will remain on the mountain because of the peace and serenity it brings me
I keep on looking till this very day
I continue to search for the love and happiness that the mountain once brought me
For my baby...my baby...(so far)...who's gone away
I am searching for the person who once brought me joy, but who is no longer with me
I'll search... search this land till my dyin' day
I will never give up on the search for the love and happiness of the mountain
A sweet loving woman, make a mountain
The love and tenderness of a woman can transform an ordinary mountain into a source of beauty and wonder
Make a mountain
Create something truly magnificent out of something ordinary
Cry
Express deep emotion in a way that touches others
Come on baby
An expression of earnest desire and longing for love
Mountain...mountain...
A reassertion of the majesty and beauty of the mountain, regardless of whether or not it brings love and happiness
Make a mountain cry
Create something of such great beauty and wonder that it inspires deep emotion and awe
Mountain cry
The expression of the deep emotions inspired by the beauty of the mountain
Make a mountain (mountain cry)
Create something of such great beauty and wonder that it inspires deep emotion and awe
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: BRENDAN HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Rushford
I can't even find the words to describe how amazing John Popper and Gregg Allman sound when they sing together. They say they save the best for last, and this song, which is the last track on Travelers and Thieves, is probably the best song on the album, showing the true musical talent of the band (just listen to Chad and John tear it up on the guitar and harmonica) and how much of a great singer and harpist John is. The lyrics are just as powerful as the song is too.
Jacie Hamalainen
I haven't heard this one in awhile..John Popper & GA souls shines..AMAZING track!!
Rose Yoder
I wore this out about 20 years ago...god I love this track.
Ronald Lambert
@Help On the way Seeing them at the Peach Music Festival! I can't wait!
Help On the way
Rose Yoder see The 2019 Spring Tour
Dale Green Bear
I've had parts of this tune stuck in my head periodically for the last 25 years plus
Ron Mccullough
cant believe how good this song is, gregg allman never sounded so bluesy, awesome
Corey Kielb
What an epic song. Love this shit. Jammin in 2020.
Peggy Williamson
great blues never age, has it really been 20 years ago? no freaking way!!!
David Farris
GREAT BLUES NEVER DIE