Montana Men
Hunter and The Bear Lyrics
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Never far from the sea
Raised a farmer in a green, green land
No work for me
Found a girl that I love
Made a home to keep us warm
I was young when they sent for me
And I'm bound for Montana
On a big ship heading West
Just a boy from the islands
Getting paid to do my best
An' I remember the mountains
I pray my family's safe
I've years left of working
Before I'll be home again
Work a long day in the summer
On the prairie in the sun
Walk for miles on the hard grey land, the day is done
Starry night at the fire
Sing a song to tame the flock
Disappear to my cold cold bed beneath the rocks
And I'm bound for Montana
On a big ship heading West
Just a boy from the islands
Getting paid to do my best
An' I remember the mountains
I pray my family's safe
I've years left of working
Before I'll be home again
Seven years I've been away
From the shelter on the glen
I still dream of my sweet, sweet heart
Now and again
For the town we need the money
I've gotta stay and pay my dues
I hope some days that I'll return, return with you.
And I'm bound for Montana
On a big ship heading West
Just a boy from the islands
Getting paid to do my best
An' I remember the mountains
I pray my family's safe
I've years left of working
Before I'll be home again
Before I'll be home again
Before I'll be home again
The song "Montana Men" by Hunter and The Bear tells the story of a young man born among the hills and raised as a farmer in a green land with no work for him. He found love, made a home, but was sent away to work in Montana. The young man sings about his journey towards the West on a big ship, leaving behind his family and his sweet heart. He hopes that they are safe and sound, and dreams of the day he will return home to them. In Montana, he works long days under the sun, walks for miles on the hard grey land, sings songs at night by the fire to tame the flock, and sleeps in his cold cold bed beneath the rocks. The young man has been away for seven years, but he still dreams of his family and wishes to return to them.
The lyrics of the song evoke the bittersweet feelings of leaving behind one's home, family and loved ones, and embarking on a journey into the unknown for the sake of work and livelihood. The young man's hope, courage and resilience in the face of adversity are inspirational, and his yearning for home is palpable. The song also conveys a sense of nostalgia for the simple life of farming and living close to nature, and the longing to be reunited with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born among the hills
I come from a place surrounded by elevated landforms.
Never far from the sea
I have always lived in close proximity to an ocean or sea.
Raised a farmer in a green, green land
I grew up farming in a lush, verdant country.
No work for me
I am currently unemployed and unable to find work.
Found a girl that I love
I met and fell in love with a woman who is very dear to me.
Made a home to keep us warm
We established a place to live together and find comfort.
I was young when they sent for me
At a young age, I was called away to leave my love and home.
An' I was gone
I had to depart and begin a new chapter of my life.
And I'm bound for Montana
I am currently en route to Montana.
On a big ship heading West
I am traveling on a large vessel that is heading towards the western part of the United States.
Just a boy from the islands
I am a young man who originates from an island or islands.
Getting paid to do my best
I am being compensated for the hard work that I am putting in.
An' I remember the mountains
I recall the breathtaking and majestic mountains I previously encountered.
I pray my family's safe
I hope and wish that my loved ones are safe and sound.
I've years left of working
I have many years of labor and toil ahead of me.
Before I'll be home again
It will be quite a while before I can return to my home.
Work a long day in the summer
I spend many hours toiling under the heat of the sun during summertime.
On the prairie in the sun
I often work on open grasslands under the scorching sun.
Walk for miles on the hard grey land, the day is done
After a tiring day at work, I trek across the rugged and barren terrain to go home.
Starry night at the fire
I sit by the fire under the starry night sky.
Sing a song to tame the flock
To help calm my livestock, I sing a soothing song to them.
Disappear to my cold cold bed beneath the rocks
At night, I escape to my icy bed that is hidden under some large rocks.
Seven years I've been away
It has been seven years since I left my homeland.
From the shelter on the glen
I used to live in a place of refuge in a secluded valley.
I still dream of my sweet, sweet heart
I continue to have dreams of the woman I deeply love.
Now and again
Occasionally.
For the town we need the money
The community requires financial resources.
I've gotta stay and pay my dues
I must remain and earn my rightful place by contributing to the town's economy.
I hope some days that I'll return, return with you.
I look forward to the day where I can finally bring my beloved back home with me.
Before I'll be home again
It will take a considerable amount of time before I can return to my place of origin.
Before I'll be home again
It will be quite a while before I can return to my home.
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.