Many Mountains
Pamela Means Lyrics


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I came to the coast to try out my wings and fly
But I flap on the ground afraid to touch the sky
Born on a flat land over a flat lake
And I move in straight lines
Far from the river and further from home
Stave off the darkness whither I roam
To be all the wiser and know who I am
I am afraid of the sea
So I stay on the land
But there are many mountains
I am a candle that stands on a stone
For all my light to see
But I stumble
And stutter
And mutter
And flutter
And flee
To be all the wiser and know who I am




I'm afraid of sea so I stay on the land
But there are many, many mountains

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pamela Means's song Many Mountains seem to represent a person who is struggling with personal growth and self-discovery. The singer reveals that they have left their home and ventured to the coast to explore and test their limits, but they are held back by their own fears and insecurities. They feel like they were born into a flat and unremarkable existence, and so they continue to move in straight lines, avoiding any obstacles or challenges that may come their way. But they also feel a sense of alienation, being far from the river and even further from home.


The singer wants to gain wisdom and discover who they truly are - but this requires facing their fears and venturing out of their comfort zone. And while they may be afraid of the sea, there are many mountains to climb - a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities that await them on their journey of self-discovery. The lyric "I am a candle that stands on a stone/For all my light to see" seems to suggest that the singer wants to be a light and a guide for others, but they struggle with their own limitations and self-doubt. The repeated phrases "stumble and stutter and mutter and flutter and flee" illustrate how difficult it can be to overcome these internal obstacles, but the singer is determined to persevere.


Overall, Many Mountains is a song about the struggles and triumphs of personal growth. The lyrics capture the anxiety and uncertainty that come with stepping outside of one's comfort zone, but they also express a sense of hope and resilience. By facing their fears and accepting the challenges that come with self-discovery, the singer is able to grow and become wiser.


Line by Line Meaning

I came to the coast to try out my wings and fly
I ventured out to explore and take risks.


But I flap on the ground afraid to touch the sky
I am hesitant to take off and soar due to fear.


Born on a flat land over a flat lake
I hail from a place with no variety or significant landmarks.


And I move in straight lines
My path is predictable and unchanging.


Far from the river and further from home
I am distant from my roots and familiarity.


Stave off the darkness whither I roam
I try to avoid negativity as I wander.


To be all the wiser and know who I am
I strive to gain insight about myself.


I am afraid of the sea
I fear the vast and unpredictable oceans.


So I stay on the land
I stick to what is comfortable and safe.


But there are many mountains
There are plenty of challenges and obstacles to conquer.


I am a candle that stands on a stone
I am resilient and enduring amidst adversity.


For all my light to see
For others to notice and be inspired by my small triumphs.


But I stumble
I make mistakes and falter.


And stutter
I struggle to communicate effectively.


And mutter
I speak hesitantly and incoherently.


And flutter
I am nervous and anxious.


And flee
I run away from challenges and fear.


I'm afraid of sea so I stay on the land
I am reluctant to take risks and prefer safety.


But there are many, many mountains
Despite my fear, I acknowledge that there are plenty of challenges to face.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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