Medicine
Old Bear Mountain Lyrics
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And oh sweet heroine come and take me home
And oh you've done me wrong and again
And oh the trouble we've been in
Oh misty mountain man cutting down the tallest trees
And the burn the rest around as if it were a disease
Oh the earth is growing old
Oh mystic native land, roam the west since you were born
And steal the cities lights when your children grow cold
And run like you've never run before
From places you have never known
Oh Mr. Medicine you let me down to the floor
And oh sweet cherubim come and take me home
Well oh, the earth is growing old
Know, the lies that we have told
The song "Medicine" by Old Bear Mountain is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on society's reliance on drugs and the destruction of nature. The lyrics refer to Mr. Medicine and sweet heroine, implying an addiction to drugs and the heartbreak they bring. The song then moves on to describe the destruction of nature by a misty mountain man cutting down the tallest trees, burning the rest, and how the earth is growing old. Old Bear Mountain sings about the lies that society has told itself about the consequences of this behavior.
The lyrics shift towards the end, referencing a mystic native land, suggesting that the destruction of nature is not a new phenomenon, and has been happening since the birth of civilization. The desire to steal the cities lights and run from places unknown suggests that people should be looking for a way to heal the damage already done instead of causing more. The song ends in a plea towards Mr. Medicine and sweet cherubim to take the singer home, and once again emphasizes the point that the earth is growing old and the lies that society has told.
Overall, "Medicine" by Old Bear Mountain suggests that our addiction to drugs and destruction of nature are interconnected and holds a mirror to society's behavior, calling for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mr. Medicine I'm going to right you a love song
The singer intends to express his affection for drugs through a love song.
And oh sweet heroine come and take me home
The singer wants to escape reality and find solace in drugs.
And oh you've done me wrong and again
The singer acknowledges that despite the drug's harmful effects, he continues to seek comfort in it.
And oh the trouble we've been in
The artist reflects upon the negative consequences that come with drug addiction.
Oh misty mountain man cutting down the tallest trees
The artist describes a person who has no regard for nature and its inhabitants and causes destruction to the environment.
And the burn the rest around as if it were a disease
The person in question not only cuts down the trees but also sets the surrounding area on fire, further damaging the environment.
Oh the earth is growing old
The singer recognizes that the environment is deteriorating.
Oh the lies that we have told
The artist acknowledges humanity's role in damaging the environment and the lies told to justify this behavior.
Oh mystic native land, roam the west since you were born
The artist describes the vast and expansive nature of indigenous land.
And steal the cities lights when your children grow cold
The artist highlights how indigenous people have been forced to migrate to cities by taking away their ancestral land and the amenities provided as compensation.
And run like you've never run before
The singer encourages people to take the risk and venture into the unknown; like indigenous people who were forced away from their native lands.
From places you have never known
The artist is asking people to explore territories that they haven't visited before.
Oh Mr. Medicine you let me down to the floor
The singer is recognizing the destructive nature of drug addiction.
And oh sweet cherubim come and take me home
The singer desires an escape from life's hardships through drugs.
Well oh, the earth is growing old
The singer reiterates that the environment is deteriorating due to human activity.
Know, the lies that we have told
The artist reminds the listener to acknowledge their role in damaging the environment and lies told to justify this behavior.
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.