The Old Man of the Mountain
Joe Haymes & His Orchestra Lyrics
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He tramps along while the folks all laugh
With a twinkle in his eye, he passes them by
The old man of the mountain
For he wears long hair and his feet are bare
He says he's mad as an old march hare
But his cares are none and he owes no one
He talks with the birds when he's lonely
He sleeps with the stars for a tent
The bees spread a feast when he's hungry
And god charges no rent
He'll live as long as the old oak tree
And laugh at fools like you and me
Oh, I often sigh and wish that I
Were the old man of the mountain
The old man of the mountain
The lyrics of "The Old Man of the Mountain" by Joe Haymes & His Orchestra paint a vivid picture of a mysterious and eccentric character who captures the imagination of those around him. The description of the old man with his long white beard and crooked staff immediately sets the scene of a wise and enigmatic figure. Despite the laughter of onlookers, there is a sense of wisdom and resilience in the old man as he moves through the world with a twinkle in his eye, unperturbed by the opinions of others.
The portrayal of the old man's unconventional appearance, with long hair and bare feet, reinforces the idea that he exists on the fringes of society, embracing his unique identity with a sense of liberation. The comparison to an old march hare, known for its erratic behavior, further enhances the perception of the old man as a free spirit who defies societal norms and expectations. Despite his unconventional ways, the old man is portrayed as carefree and independent, owing nothing to anyone and living life on his own terms.
The lyrics suggest a deep connection between the old man and nature, showcasing his ability to communicate with birds and find solace under the stars. The imagery of the bees spreading a feast for him when he's hungry conveys a sense of harmony and abundance in his unconventional way of life. The mention of God charging no rent further reinforces the idea that the old man exists outside of conventional structures and is sustained by a higher power that provides for him without expectation.
The final stanza of the song reflects a juxtaposition between the longing of the singer to escape the constraints of society and the freedom embodied by the old man of the mountain. The old man is depicted as a timeless figure, living in harmony with nature and defying mortality with his connection to the enduring oak tree. The singer expresses a wistful desire to trade places with the old man, recognizing the allure of his carefree existence and the wisdom that comes from living outside the confines of societal expectations. Overall, the lyrics of "The Old Man of the Mountain" celebrate the freedom of individuality, the beauty of simplicity, and the timeless wisdom found in embracing a life unconstrained by the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
With his long white beard and a crooked staff
Despite his aged appearance and humble belongings, he exudes wisdom and strength.
He tramps along while the folks all laugh
He continues his journey unfazed by the mockery of others.
With a twinkle in his eye, he passes them by
His spirit remains bright as he moves past those who judge him.
The old man of the mountain
He is a symbol of resilience and independence.
For he wears long hair and his feet are bare
He embraces his natural state and rejects societal standards.
He says he's mad as an old march hare
He proudly declares his eccentricity and nonconformity.
But his cares are none and he owes no one
He lives free from worries and obligations.
He talks with the birds when he's lonely
He finds solace in nature and connects with the world around him.
He sleeps with the stars for a tent
His home is the vast expanse of the sky, finding comfort in simplicity.
The bees spread a feast when he's hungry
He is provided for by the natural abundance of the earth.
And god charges no rent
His existence is free from material possessions or debts to the divine.
He'll live as long as the old oak tree
His presence will endure like the ancient tree, rooted in the earth.
And laugh at fools like you and me
He finds amusement in the trivial concerns of society, remaining above it all.
Oh, I often sigh and wish that I
The singer admires the old man's carefree existence and wishes to emulate it.
Were the old man of the mountain
To embody such freedom and connection with nature would be a dream come true.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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