Donovan came to fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with a series of live performances on the television pop series, Ready Steady Go!. He first hit the charts in 1965 with his single "Catch the Wind", continuing on with a string of hits, most of them produced by Mickie Most. Donovan's 1966 Sunshine Superman marked not only a transition to the burgeoning psychedelic scene, but is also viewed as a formative album in its genre, inspiring countless contemporaries. His 1967 double album A Gift from a Flower to a Garden—the first major album released as a boxed set—completed the transition from beat poet folkster to hippie troubadour.
As a close friend of The Beatles, he traveled with them to India during their stay at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and taught them the "clawhammer" finger-picking style, which is featured on several tracks on their seminal 1968 double album The Beatles, better known as "The White Album."
The decline of Donovan's commercial popularity coincides roughly with his split from Most in 1969, as well as gradually lessened interest in psychedelics by artists and the record-buying public alike. With the advent of punk rock during the mid-'70s, Donovan, now viewed as a "nice boy" '60s relic, truly fell from favor. Music critics' tastes too had changed; Donovan's new product, while still quirky and experimental, earned little but scorn and derision. As the decades progressed, Donovan would record and perform only sporadically, often separated by several years.
Donovan's career went through a revival of sorts with the emergence of Britain's rave scene in the '90s. As a result, his most famous works were reissued, and once again viewed favorably by critics. With the release of the back-to-basics Rick Rubin-produced Sutras in 1996, Donovan's career settled into a comparatively steady stream of new releases, coupled with archival material and various reissues. He was inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mountain
Donovan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
The caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a 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 Jaunita, I call 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
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a 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, 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.
This song by Donovan is filled with vivid imagery and metaphor which can be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics begin by describing the lock on the garden gate as a snail. This could be interpreted as something slow and unassuming, but also able to protect the garden from unwanted visitors. Then the lyrics shift to describing the mountain, which appears and disappears, indicating the temporary nature of obstacles in life. The caterpillar shedding its skin to become a butterfly symbolizes the transformative power of change.
The repetition of the line "first there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is" could also symbolize the cyclical nature of life and how challenges and obstacles come and go. The line "oh Juanita, oh Juanita, oh Jaunita, I call your name" is a playful nod to the Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo" which also includes the name "Juanita."
The final line about the snow on the hillside being a blinding sight to see could be interpreted as the beauty of nature and how even something blinding can be awe-inspiring.
Overall, the song is left open to interpretation and can mean different things to different people. It is a testament to the power of simple yet evocative lyrics and Donovan's unique style of folk rock.
Line by Line Meaning
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
The lock on my garden gate moves as slowly as a snail, hence the comparison
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
At first, the mountain seems like an obstacle, then it disappears, but eventually it returns and must be faced again
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
The caterpillar goes through a transformation process to become a beautiful butterfly
Oh Juanita, oh Juanita, oh Jaunita, I call your name
The artist is calling out for Juanita
Oh, the snow will be a blinding sight to see as it lies on yonder hillside
The snow on the hillside will be a beautiful and almost overwhelming sight
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mark1952able
In his aptly named song “There is a Mountain”, Donovan professes that “first there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is.” He refers to the Buddhist philosophy that states “Before enlightenment, a mountain is a mountain. During enlightenment, a mountain is not a mountain. After enlightenment, a mountain is a mountain.”
@crimsonwolf9099
In addition to that.... all things arise, all things disappear, all things arise... the cycle of life.
@jimmymurphy7789
I remember one time many years ago I replaced the word "Mountain" with "Toaster" when my Mom for some odd reason kept taking it off its usual place on the kitchen table (after I was through with it),
putting it back on, taking it off & putting it back once again while I was sitting there - all during one breakfast-time. It was real funny so I had to bust out the song in that way.
@carlosaquino5094
A 10 year old in 67!!! Nothing was better, and this song was part of it ❤
@robertrodes1546
This was the theme that the Allman Brothers jammed on in "Mountain Jam" from "Eat a Peach."
@carlosaquino5094
@@robertrodes1546 an amazing jam! An amazing album. The Allman brother’s at there best 🍻❤️👍🏼
@carlmildner859
that's me !... first there is a mountain , then there is no mountain etc.... I hears the lyrics on "Heartbeat" , and just had to find the song... thanks to AZLyrics , I found it !!! takes me back to my childhood ... hight of Hippy culture ... yeah man
@moniquemurphy4851
Me too 🦋
@carlmildner859
that was me , as well !!! wonderful
@marymoreno1712
Grateful Dead also touched on it. Jerry Garcia plays it in the middle of the Anthem of the Sun Album 1967