The Old Man of the Mountain
Phil Harris and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He tramps along while the folks all laugh
With a twinkle in his eye, he passes them by
The old man of the mountain
For he wears long hair and his feet are bare
He says he's mad as an old march hare
But his cares are none and he owes no one
He talks with the birds when he's lonely
He sleeps with the stars for a tent
The bees spread a feast when he's hungry
And god charges no rent
He'll live as long as the old oak tree
And laugh at fools like you and me
Oh, I often sigh and wish that I
Were the old man of the mountain
The old man of the mountain
The lyrics of "The Old Man of the Mountain" by Phil Harris and His Orchestra depict a whimsical and carefree character who brings amusement and intrigue to the people he encounters. With his distinctive appearance, including a long white beard and a crooked staff, he captures the attention of onlookers who cannot help but laugh. Yet, underneath the seemingly eccentric exterior lies a man who embraces his uniqueness and finds contentment in his solitary existence.
The song portrays the old man as someone who rejects societal norms and lives life on his own terms. His long hair and bare feet symbolize his defiance against conventional expectations, and he proudly identifies himself as mad as an old march hare. However, his unconventional lifestyle does not burden him with worries or debts. He is free from worldly concerns, and his interaction with nature amplifies his sense of independence and fulfillment.
The lyrics suggest that the old man of the mountain finds solace in nature, engaging in conversations with birds and finding comfort under the stars. The imagery of bees spreading a feast when he's hungry highlights the harmony he shares with the natural world. The song implies that the old man's connection with nature allows him to sustain a long and fulfilling life, unlike those who adhere to societal conventions and feel burdened by the expectations of others.
In the final lines, the singer expresses a longing to be like the old man of the mountain, embracing his carefree existence and finding joy in simplicity. The lyrics celebrate the freedom and contentment that can be attained when one breaks free from societal constraints and embraces their true nature.
Line by Line Meaning
With his long white beard and a crooked staff
This man has a distinct appearance, with a lengthy white beard and a curved walking stick.
He tramps along while the folks all laugh
He walks with purpose despite others finding his actions amusing.
With a twinkle in his eye, he passes them by
His eyes sparkle with mischief as he continues on his way.
The old man of the mountain
This man is known as the old man of the mountain.
For he wears long hair and his feet are bare
He proudly displays his long hair and prefers to walk without shoes.
He says he's mad as an old march hare
He claims to be as crazy as a hare during the month of March.
But his cares are none and he owes no one
He has no worries or debts to anyone.
The old man of the mountain
This man is known as the old man of the mountain.
He talks with the birds when he's lonely
In moments of loneliness, he finds solace in conversing with birds.
He sleeps with the stars for a tent
He finds comfort in resting under the night sky, using the stars as his shelter.
The bees spread a feast when he's hungry
When he feels hunger, the bees provide him with an abundant feast.
And god charges no rent
He pays no price for the blessings he receives from nature.
He'll live as long as the old oak tree
He believes he will live as long as the ancient oak tree.
And laugh at fools like you and me
He takes amusement in the foolishness of people, including both you and me.
Oh, I often sigh and wish that I
Frequently, I find myself yearning and longing that
Were the old man of the mountain
I could be just like the old man of the mountain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sammckinstry
Was this part of something bigger? A period delight anyway, recorded and played with real quality.