Lynn was born in Butcher Hollow, Van Lear, Kentucky in 1932. According to Songfacts, Loretta Lynn's superstar Country career started in 1960 when she recorded " I'm a Honky Tonk Girl " as her debut single. The song was a minor hit, climbing to #14 on Billboard's C&W Chart. By the late 1960s she had begun picking up various Female Vocalist of the Year trophies and in 1972 the singer became the first woman in history to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year trophy. Lynn dominated the Country charts throughout the rest of the decade and has continued to record hit records through the ensuing years. Her 50th anniversary year began with the award of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement on January 31, 2010.
Lynn released over 70 albums. She is the sister of country singer Crystal Gayle (born in Paintsville, Kentucky) and Peggy Sue, and is a cousin of Patty Loveless. Her father was a coal miner in Van Lear. Her biography was made into the 1980 film, Coal Miner's Daughter.
High on a Mountain Top
Loretta Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Where the rest of the world's
Like a little blue spot
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Where I come from the mountain flowers grow wild
The blue grass sways like it's goin out of style
God fearin' people. simple and real
'Cause up on the ridge folks that's the deal
Well, my daddy worked down in the dark coal mine
Shovelin' that coal, one shovel at a time
Never made a lot money didn't have much
But we're high on life and rich in love
High on a mountain top
We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Where the rest of the world's
Like a little blue spot
I ain't comin down, no, never I'm not
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Well, down in the holler lived my uncle Joe
He'd pull out his fiddle and rosin his bow
We'd all sing and dance and we ain't gonna stop
And the moon shine flows behind every rock
High on a mountain top
We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Where the rest of the world's
Like a little blue spot
I ain't comin down, no, never I'm not
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Well, we lay on our backs and we count the stars
'Cause up here, folks, Heaven's not that far
High on a mountain top
We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
Where the rest of the world's
Like a little blue spot
I ain't comin down, no, never I'm not
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top
The lyrics of Loretta Lynn's song "High On A Mountain Top" describe a community that lives in and loves life on the isolated and elevated terrain of a mountain. This place is apparently the perfect haven for its inhabitants because they dwell in a world where they have everything they could ever need. Away from the hustle of city life, the folks on the mountain revel in the simplicity of their existence. They know the value of these surroundings and the quality of life that comes from living free of the modern world's troubles. This seems to be epitomized by the lyrics “Where the rest of the world's / Like a little bitty spot / I ain't comin down no never I'm not."
The composition also highlights the fundamental joy and tenderness of the people towards each other. They value small joys like the mountain flowers that grow wildly everywhere, singing and dancing under the moonshine with their loved ones, and counting stars as they lay on their backs. The song is just as much about the cumulating small moments of life and the moments shared with others as it is about the natural beauty of a mountain existence. So, in essence, the song's message is to cherish the simple life that mountain life offers because, in the end, it is these small pleasures and familial connections that bring happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
High on a mountain top
A feeling of euphoria and contentment achieved through living on a mountainside.
We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Mountain-dwellers enjoy a simple and fulfilling life, full of love and laughter.
Folks up here know what they got
The people residing on the mountain have a profound appreciation for their way of life and the natural beauty surrounding them.
Where the rest of the world's
In comparison to the world outside of the mountain, which is vast and seemingly disjointed.
Like a little bitty spot
A small and insignificant entity by comparison.
I ain't comin down no never I'm not
The singer has no desire to leave the mountain and abandon their way of life.
Where I come from the mountain flowers grow wild
The mountain fosters an environment in which nature flourishes with little interference from humans.
The blue grass sways like it's goin' out of style
The sight of the wind blowing through the grass and the sound it creates is a beautiful and rhythmic thing to behold.
God fearin' people simple and real
The residents of the mountain are generally religious and see themselves as ordinary and down-to-earth individuals.
'Cause up on the ridge folks that's the deal
This phrase is a reference to the community of people who live on the mountain ridge, who embody the aforementioned qualities and values.
Well my daddy worked down in the dark coal mine
The father of the singer was a coal miner who worked in a dangerous and physically taxing environment.
Shovelin' that coal one shovel at a time
His work was hard but he soldiered on dutifully, one shovelful at a time.
Never made a lot money din't have much
Despite his hard work, the father was not financially successful, and the family did not have a lot of money or possessions.
But we're high on life and rich in love
The singer's family may not have been well-off financially, but they were fulfilled with the richness of their love for each other and their way of life.
Well down in the holler lived my uncle Joe
The singer's uncle resides in a hollow or valley on the mountain.
He'd pull out his fiddle and rosin his bow
The uncle is accomplished at playing the fiddle, an instrument that is popular among mountain folk.
We'd all sing and dance
The family and other mountain-dwellers gather together to sing and dance in celebration of life.
And we ain't gonna stop
Their celebration will continue for as long as they have energy and enthusiasm.
When the moon shine flows behind every rock
Even in the darkness of the night, the moon casts a reflection against the rocks that dot the landscape, creating a dazzling effect.
Well we lay on our backs and we count the stars
On summer nights, the mountain community members look up at the sky and explore the vastness of the universe, counting the stars as they go.
'Cause up here folks heaven's not that far
The beauty of their natural surroundings makes it feel as though they are already in heaven.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Loretta Lynn, Patsy Lynn Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trapster81743
My son and I love Lorettas music, rip 🙏 love from UK 🇬🇧 xx
@jsal56
Thank you for everything Loretta.
Heaven awaits and God Bless.
@leah_goldman4299
Rest In Peace Loretta! Thank you for the great music and for keeping it 💯
@shanephillips1730
She's high on a mountaintop tonight. Climbed her way every inch to get there. A true original with no waver.
@RubenWhitaker
RIP Loretta, this was the first song I remember loving when I was 3 years old, thank you for your music!
@Onehappyworlds
Awesome. This whole album is great. Not surprised. It's Loretta. Thanks Jack White for producing.
@mik1145
I absolutely love this song ,there is no better example of good old back yard picking,man this makes me smile every time :-)
@leapingjoseph8462
ditto
@ThePossumfan
Van Lear Rose album is awesome!
@ellenkruce2828
Loretta Lynn and her songs are just the best.