The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Jane Monheit Lyrics


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Many men with lofty aims
Strive for lofty goals
Others play at smaller games
Being simpler souls
I am of the latter brand
All I want to do
Is to find a plot of land
And live there with you
Someday, we'll build a home
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
We will make changes as any family will
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

Overall Meaning

The Folks Who Live on the Hill is a love song written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1937. The song opens with an observation about the variations in the aspirations of men. While some aim for grand goals, others are content with simpler pleasures. The singer, Jane Monheit, identifies as the latter, and all she wants is to live with her lover in a cottage on a hill, well away from the hustle and bustle of the city. She envisions a life of pure contentment where the two of them can enjoy the beauty of nature, make necessary additions to their home that any family would, and watch their children grow up and leave them to enjoy each other's company in their golden years, a happy couple called the folks who live on the hill.


The song is timeless in its appeal because it captures the universal longing for love, companionship, and a place to call home. The lyrics reflect an idyllic life away from the rush and chaos of the modern world where there are no ambitions, no grand goals, or lofty aims. Instead, it echoes the desire for a simple life filled with love and nature, none of which can be found in the city. The listeners easily connect with the hopes and dreams of the singer, and the song touches their hearts.


Line by Line Meaning

Many men with lofty aims
There are many people who have big dreams and aspirations


Strive for lofty goals
They work hard to achieve those goals


Others play at smaller games
On the other hand, there are people who are content with simpler things


Being simpler souls
They have a less complicated nature


I am of the latter brand
I belong to the group of people who are content with simpler things


All I want to do
My only desire


Is to find a plot of land
Is to find a piece of land


And live there with you
And live there together with the person I love


Someday, we'll build a home
At some point in the future, we will build a house


On a hilltop high
On top of a hill


You and I, shiny and new
We will be happy and fresh


A cottage that two can fill
A small house where two people can live comfortably


And we'll be pleased to be called
We will feel happy and satisfied to be known as


The folks who live on the hill
The people who live on the hill


Someday, we may be adding
In the future, we may make additions


A thing or two, a wing or two
Some things, like a new room or addition to the house


We will make changes as any family will
We will modify the house and make changes, like any other family does


But we will always be called
Even with changes, we will continue to be known as


The folks who live on the hill
The people who live on the hill


Our veranda will command
Our porch will have a great view of


A view of meadows green
We will be able to see green meadows from our porch


The sort of view that
The type of view that


Seems to want to be seen
Is so beautiful that it calls out to be viewed


And when the kids
When our children


Grow up and leave us
Mature and move away from home


We'll sit and look at the
We will sit and enjoy


Same old view, just we two
The same beautiful view, with just the two of us


Darby and Joan who
Two elderly people who


Used to be Jack and Jill
Were once young and in love like Jack and Jill from the nursery rhyme


The folks like to be called
We prefer to be known as


What they have always been called
The name we have always been known by




Writer(s): Oscar Ii Hammerstein, Jerome Kern Copyright: T.B. Harms Co.

Contributed by Emma L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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