Over the Next Hill
Johnny Cash with Anita Carter and The Carter Family Lyrics
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I think I?d be safe in sayin?
That over the next hill we?ll be home
It?s a straight and narrow highway
No detours and no byways
And over the next hill we?ll be home
I would say the end is nearin?
For I see familiar landmarks all along
By the dreams that I've been dreamin?
There will come a great redeemin?
And over the next hill we?ll be home
By the turn the tide is takin'
I would say there's no mistakin?
That over the next hill we?ll be home
there's a place that we are nearin?
That so many have been fearin?
And over the next hill we?ll be home
When we get there we're all hopin?
That we?ll find the gate is open
And there'll be a refuge from the comin? storm
For the way?s been long and weary
But at last the end is nearin?
And over the next hill we?ll be home
Johnny Cash's song Over The Next Hill is a metaphorical song. The lyrics express the singer's belief in the end of the world and heaven being on the other side of the next hill. The song opens with the singer observing the layout of the land and concludes that they are nearing home. The straight and narrow highway signifies the path to heaven with no detours or byways, depicting the importance of staying on the right path. The singer mentions the prophets and familiar landmarks along the way, which could signify religious history and passages in the Bible that relate to the end times.
The chorus mentions dreams of great redeeming and the next hill indicating that they are prepared for what lies ahead. The turn the tide is taking is a potent image that suggests changes in the ongoing spiritual realm, and the place we are nearing has been the fear of many individuals. In the final verse, there is hope that heaven's gates are open, providing refuge from the coming storm, signifying the end of the world. The journey has been tough, but finally, the end is near, and they will be home.
Line by Line Meaning
By the way the land is layin?
Given the lay of the land, I am confident in saying that over the next hill lies our home.
It?s a straight and narrow highway
The road we're on is straightforward and without deviation, leading directly to our destination.
No detours and no byways
There are no alternate routes or distractions on our path.
From the prophets I've been hearin?
Based on the messages from prophets I've received, it seems the end is nearing.
I would say the end is nearin?
Based on what I've heard, it appears that the end is approaching.
For I see familiar landmarks all along
The landmarks I recognize indicate to me that we are close to our destination.
By the dreams that I've been dreamin?
Based on my dreams, I believe that a great redemption is on the horizon.
There will come a great redeemin?
I foresee a moment of redemption and salvation in our near future.
And over the next hill we'll be home
Our home lies just beyond the upcoming hill.
By the turn the tide is takin'
Given the direction of the tide, I have no doubt that we are nearing our destination.
I would say there's no mistakin?
I am certain that we are on the right track and close to our home.
That over the next hill we'll be home
We are only a hill away from arriving at our home.
there's a place that we are nearin?
We are approaching a location that many have feared.
That so many have been fearin?
This place we are near has caused worry and apprehension in many individuals.
And over the next hill we'll be home
We are very close to reaching our destination, which is beyond the upcoming hill.
When we get there we're all hopin?
Once we arrive, we are hopeful that the gate to our new home will be open.
That we'll find the gate is open
We wish for the entrance to our new home to be accessible when we get there.
And there'll be a refuge from the comin' storm
We hope that our new home will provide shelter and protection from any impending danger.
For the way?s been long and weary
The journey we have taken thus far has been tiring and difficult.
But at last the end is nearin?
However, we are close to the end of our journey and can soon rest.
And over the next hill we'll be home
Our home is just beyond the upcoming hill, and we are almost there.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind