Higher Ground
Ned Luberecki feat. Dale Ann Bradley Lyrics
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Raised in the shadow of the pines
Washed by the waters that flowed down like a fountain
Believing those hills to be my life
But my dreams grew larger than those hollers could hold
Fighting fear, I steeled my will
I've travelled so far as my story unfolds
But my heart remains there still
Other places I have seen, have taught me many things
Some of them I've tried to call my home
No matter where I dwell, I come back to the well
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
Now I live in shadows not of green but of gray
These towers like a concrete mountain stand
I've found work and friends and joy all along my way
Even found a love that I hadn't planned
Sometimes in the night when the city quiets down
I strain to hear a wind through the trees
To take me back in time to the place I carry ‘round
The home always with me
Other places I have seen, have taught me many things
Some of them I've tried to call my home
No matter where I dwell, I come back to the well
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
The lyrics to Ned Luberecki feat. Dale Ann Bradley’s song, Higher Ground, are a nostalgic look back at the singer’s life and the places she has been, all while recognizing that her heart always remains in the “East Kentucky mountain” where she was born and raised. The imagery of the “heart of an East Kentucky mountain” and being “raised in the shadow of the pines” creates a clear picture of the singer’s upbringing and connection to the natural world around her. The use of metaphors such as “my dreams grew larger than those hollers could hold” and “As higher ground my mountain stands alone” shows that the singer has achieved more in life than may have been expected from her small town roots, but still acknowledges the foundation that was built in her early years.
The second verse speaks to the challenges that come with leaving one’s roots behind and completely immersing oneself in a new, urban environment. The contrast between “shadows not of green but of gray” and the “concrete mountain stands” brings to mind the idea of being trapped, or lost, in a city that lacks the natural beauty that the singer was raised with. However, the singer is still able to find joy, work, and even love in her new surroundings. Ultimately, though, her heart still yearns for the comforting familiarity of her childhood home.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in the heart of an East Kentucky mountain
I was born in a mountainous region in East Kentucky
Raised in the shadow of the pines
I grew up in an area with pine trees surrounding me
Washed by the waters that flowed down like a fountain
I grew up near a source of flowing water that was like a fountain
Believing those hills to be my life
I felt that the hills and mountains around me represented my life and identity
But my dreams grew larger than those hollers could hold
My aspirations became bigger than what my hometown could offer
Fighting fear, I steeled my will
I overcame fear and strengthened my determination
I've travelled so far as my story unfolds
As my life progressed, I have traveled far
But my heart remains there still
Yet, I still have a strong attachment to my hometown
Other places I have seen, have taught me many things
I have visited other places and learned new things from them
Some of them I've tried to call my home
I attempted to find a new place to call home but found it challenging
No matter where I dwell, I come back to the well
Regardless of where I live, I always return to my roots
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
My hometown is unique and stands out as a place of strong personal significance
Now I live in shadows not of green but of gray
I currently live in an urban area, surrounded by buildings instead of greenery
These towers like a concrete mountain stand
The tall buildings around me resemble a different kind of mountain
I've found work and friends and joy all along my way
Despite living in a new place, I have found employment, friends, and happiness
Even found a love that I hadn't planned
I unexpectedly found love in this new place
Sometimes in the night when the city quiets down
Occasionally, when the city is silent at night
I strain to hear a wind through the trees
I yearn to hear the sound of wind blowing through trees, reminiscent of my hometown
To take me back in time to the place I carry ‘round
I wish to be transported back to my hometown
The home always with me
Despite being away, my hometown and the memories I associate with it remain close to my heart
As higher ground my mountain stands alone
My hometown is a unique and meaningful place that represents a significant part of my identity
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
comment99
go Evan! Well done you sound great
EvanBluegrass
Thanks!