Wolf didn't get her recording career going until the mid-'70s, by which time she was well into her thirties. Prior to emerging as a solo artist, she had headed the band Wildwood Flower (who backed her on her first two albums), and organized folk concerts and festivals in Northern California. Very much a self-starter, her first two albums were released on her own Owl label; thereafter, her catalog was handled by Kaleidoscope.
Over the next few years, Wolf built a strong following on the folk circuit with a series of fairly similar but remarkably consistent albums. Her recordings always benefited from first-rate instrumental support from various small bands; guitarist Nina Gerber was her most important associate in this regard.
She was still at her peak when her life was tragically cut short by leukemia in 1986.
The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival has been celebrating her music for many years now in northern California.
Like A River
Kate Wolf Lyrics
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And where the winds are blowing to there ain't no way of knowing
The mountain grass is short, it's dry and close to burning
Crying out for water as the season's turning
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
On the concrete trails that wind through the canyons dark and wide
With the sounds of people talking in words of blue and gray
And smells of doors and windows closed against the day
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
Now the dust lies thick and heavy where my feet are falling
There's nothing but the sound of the jaybirds calling
My mind grows dry and thirsty as the memories linger
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
In this song, Like a River, Kate Wolf sings of her deep longing for the wild and untouched natural world of mountains, pines and cedars, and her desire to escape the city life. She paints a vivid picture of a mountainous landscape, where the warm winds blow and the tall western cedars stand tall. As she describes the dry and burning grass, she alludes to the fact that nature is gradually losing its liveliness as the season turns, crying out for water. Despite the hardship and the uncertainty, there is a distinct sweetness and beauty in the scent of the pines and cedars, which continually drifts on the wind through the mountains like a river.
Throughout the lyrics, Kate Wolf reminisces about her time spent away from the mountains, walking the concrete paths that wind through wide canyons. She recalls hearing people talk in words of blue and gray, a clear contrast to the vibrant colors of nature. In this fast-paced, busy world, she felt disconnected from nature and longed for the mountains and fresh air. And as she traverses the mountain once again, she finds the sweet sweet scent of the pine and cedar drifting on the wind, and it reminds her of home.
Line by Line Meaning
It's high on a mountain, the warm winds are blowing
The location is at a high altitude on a mountain, with warm winds blowing through without any direction.
And where the winds are blowing to there ain't no way of knowing
The destination of the wind is unknown, and it's impossible to know where it may lead next.
The mountain grass is short, it's dry and close to burning
The grass on the mountain is short and dry, and in danger of burning due to lack of water.
Crying out for water as the season's turning
The grass is in need of water as the season changes, and the lack of water is threatening its survival.
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
There is a pleasant fragrance in the air from the pines and cedars standing tall in the area.
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The fragrance of the pines and cedars is carried away on the wind like a flowing river through the mountain area.
And I've been too long away from this wild open sky
The singer has been away from the openness of nature for too long, and is longing to be back there again.
On the concrete trails that wind through the canyons dark and wide
The artist has been walking on concrete paths that twist through the big, dark canyons.
With the sounds of people talking in words of blue and gray
In contrast to nature, the artist has been hearing people talk in monotone voices with expressions of sadness and depression.
And smells of doors and windows closed against the day
The artist has been experiencing unpleasant odors of doors and windows being sealed against the surrounding environment.
Now the dust lies thick and heavy where my feet are falling
The ground is covered in thick, heavy dust as the singer walks on it, indicating the land has not seen rain in quite some time.
There's nothing but the sound of the jaybirds calling
There is only the sound of the jaybirds calling, as the setting is devoid of other natural elements.
My mind grows dry and thirsty as the memories linger
The singer's mind is also craving the surrounding nature after reminiscing about the past times spent in the outdoors.
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The singer remembers the sweet smells of the pines and cedars, which are still present and carried away on the wind through the mountains like a flowing river.
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Again, the sweet fragrance of the pines and cedars is present in the air.
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
Same as before, the sweet fragrance of the pines and cedars is carried away on the wind through the mountains like a flowing river.
The sweet smell of the pines, the tall western cedar
Once again, the sweet fragrance of the pines and cedars can be smelled in the area.
Drifting on the wind through the mountains like a river
The fragrance is being carried away on the wind through the mountains like a flowing river, as it always does.
Writer(s): Kate Wolf Copyright: Another Sundown Publishing Company
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.