Elk Country
Old Bear Mountain Lyrics
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Is enough to make me love you
And where your garden grows
Well I know my heart is there
When I gather up your name
And you promise that you love me
Well the fire burns out slow
By the water dark and cold
Helena, Helena my love
In the morning I should go
I saw you in the glaze
Of the water by the creek bed
And when the wind did blow
Well I saw a war time ghost
And Lord you know I'm dying
But I long to see your glory
So the day the world goes dark
Darling don't you cry for me
Caroline, Caroline my love
In the morning I'll be gone
These lyrics from Old Bear Mountain's song Elk Country are a poignant expression of love and longing. The song describes a rugged and natural wilderness, full of grassy plains and creeks. It is a place where the singer feels a deep connection to his lover, whose garden grows there. He repeats her name and promises of love as though in meditation, finding comfort in the knowledge that his heart is with her.
The singer seems to be aware that he is dying, and looks to the natural beauty around him for solace. He sees the image of his lover in the water and imagines a war time ghost in the wind, adding an eerie and mysterious atmosphere to the song. He longs for her glory and reassures her not to cry for him when the world goes dark.
The song is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the power of love in nature and the bittersweet pain of separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the golden grassy plain
The beauty of the natural world around us is the reason I have feelings for you.
Is enough to make me love you
The lovely atmosphere is all it took to have strong emotions about you.
And where your garden grows
Anywhere you nurture, I will be with you.
Well I know my heart is there
I'm sure that my feelings lie close to where you dedicate your love and attention.
When I gather up your name
Whenever I try to recall your identity,
And you promise that you love me
And if you reassure me that you'll always love me,
Well the fire burns out slow
My passion eventually eases,
By the water dark and cold
As I'm surrounded by cold water reflecting my emotions.
Helena, Helena my love
Addressing you with fondness and affection,
In the morning I should go
Apologizing that I have to leave early.
I saw you in the glaze
I glimpsed you in the shimmer,
Of the water by the creek bed
The waterway near the creek bed.
And when the wind did blow
At times there's a breeze,
Well I saw a war time ghost
On occasions I see apparitions of past battles,
And Lord you know I'm dying
I'm aware of my nearing death,
But I long to see your glory
Yet I desire to witness your magnificence,
So the day the world goes dark
Hence, when the end of times come,
Darling don't you cry for me
Don't worry or grieve for my soul.
Caroline, Caroline my love
Addressingly adoring Caroline,
In the morning I'll be gone
Tomorrow morning I'll be elsewhere.
Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.