Wild Mountain Thyme
Cass McCombs and Steve Gunn Lyrics

The lyrics to Cass McCombs and Steve Gunn's song "Wild Mountain Thyme" are a call to adventure and exploration. The song begins by describing the arrival of summer and the blooming of leaves, which sets the scene for a journey into the mountains. The chorus urges the listener, designated as a lassie, to accompany the singers on their quest to "pull wild mountain thyme" and marvel at the "purple heather" that surrounds them.

The second verse describes the determination of the singer's true love, who will bravely venture into the mountains with them. If, however, their true love refuses to come, the singer will find another to join them in their adventure. The third verse takes a romantic turn, as the singer promises to build their love a tower at the foot of a fountain and fill it with flowers from the mountain to express their devotion. The final verse echoes the first, but with a shift to spring, and reminds the listener once again of the beauty of the mountain thyme and purple heather that awaits them on this journey.

Overall, the song is a poetic and romantic invitation to escape into the natural world and embark on an adventure. The repetition of the chorus and the use of imagery such as flowers, mountains, and heather create a dreamlike atmosphere that invites the listener to get lost in the beauty of the world around them.