This Heart of Mine
Mountain Lyrics
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You can play with fire, but you'll get the bill
Don't let her know, don't let her know that you love her
Don't be fool, don't be blind
This heart of mine
This heart of mine, go back home
You got no reason to wander, you got no reason to roam
Don't put yourself over the line, over the line
This heart of mine
This heart of mine, you know she'll never be true
She'll only give to others the love she's gotten from you
Don't let her know where you're going
Don't untie the ties that bind
This heart of mine
Heart of mine, so mean and full of guile
Give you an inch and you take a mile
Don't let yourself fall, don't let yourself stumble
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime
This heart of mine
Don't let her know she's blind, so blind
This heart of mine
The song "This Heart of Mine" by Mountain is a cautionary ode to a stubborn heart that refuses to learn from past mistakes. The lyrics are directed at the heart itself, as if it were an entity separate from the person singing. The first verse warns the heart not to fall too hard for a woman, implying that it has done so before and paid the price. The second verse advises the heart to avoid being too needy or dependent on this woman, which may lead to disappointment or rejection. The third verse suggests that the heart should not expect loyalty or reciprocity from this person, but instead should keep its emotions guarded and not reveal too much.
The chorus, which repeats after each verse, reinforces the message that the heart needs to be cautious and not let itself be taken advantage of. It also characterizes the heart as cunning and selfish if left unchecked. The final lines, "Don't let her know she's blind, so blind / This heart of mine," suggest that the woman in question may be oblivious to the heart's feelings, and that it is up to the heart to keep its emotions hidden to avoid being hurt.
Overall, the song is a testament to the power of the heart to control one's actions and emotions, even at the risk of self-destruction. It acknowledges the inevitability of heartbreak and the importance of self-preservation in matters of love.
Line by Line Meaning
This heart of mine, be ye still
Be calm and collected, refrain from showing any signs of emotions.
You can play with fire, but you'll get the bill
If you act recklessly, you will face the consequences of your actions.
Don't let her know, don't let her know that you love her
Don't reveal your true feelings as it might cause trouble in your relationship.
Don't be fool, don't be blind
Be wise and don't ignore the reality of the situation.
This heart of mine
This speaker's heart or innermost feelings.
This heart of mine, go back home
Retreat to the place where you belong, where you feel safe.
You got no reason to wander, you got no reason to roam
You have no motive to leave the place you currently are in.
Don't let her see, don't let her see you need her
Hide your vulnerability and dependency on her.
Don't put yourself over the line, over the line
Don't cross the line that separates right from wrong.
This heart of mine
This speaker's heart or innermost feelings.
This heart of mine, you know she'll never be true
You know that she will never be faithful to you.
She'll only give to others the love she's gotten from you
She may display affection towards others but not towards you, who have given her so much.
Don't let her know where you're going
Don't let her know about your plans, as she might interfere in them.
Don't untie the ties that bind
Don't break the strong attachment that exists between two people.
This heart of mine
This speaker's heart or innermost feelings.
Heart of mine, so mean and full of guile
This speaker's heart is malicious and cunning.
Give you an inch and you take a mile
You tend to take advantage of a situation when given even a small opportunity.
Don't let yourself fall, don't let yourself stumble
Avoid making careless mistakes that might cause harm to you or someone else.
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime
Avoid taking any action that you might later regret or have to pay for dearly.
This heart of mine
This speaker's heart or innermost feelings.
Don't let her know she's blind, so blind
Don't tell her that she is unaware of her true feelings or is being naive.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dave Butcher
on One Last Cold Kiss
This is not 'Two Island Swans' by Christ Moore, but it is the original version by Mountain Man
Dave Butcher
on You Better Believe It
Mountain at their best