The band members, already accomplished musicians, first came together in early 2001. Originally comprised of guitarist/vocalist Todd Sheaffer, violinist/vocalist Tim Carbone, mandolinist/vocalist John Skehan, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andy Goessling, drummer/vocalist Carey Harmon, and bassist ]Dave Von Dollen, the group played both original compositions mostly written by Sheaffer, the former From Good Homes songwriter, as well as traditional songs. After just three weeks of rehearsals, they went into a local recording studio and tracked a five song demo. Recorded live with no overdubs except backing vocals, The Black Bear Sessions set Railroad Earth's career in motion. Within a week they had a manager on board who then sent their demo out to some of the country’s most prestigious festivals, quickly landing a slot at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. That was their tenth gig. The Black Bear Sessions was released to the public in June 2001, and following their appearance at Telluride Sugar Hill Records approached the band and offered them a record deal. The Black Bear Sessions contains some of the most popular songs in Railroad Earth's repertoire, including "Seven Story Mountain" and "Head."
In June 2002, one year from the release of their debut, Railroad Earth’s second album, Bird in a House, came out on Sugar Hill Records, featuring songs such as "Bird In A House," "Like A Buddha," and "Mighty River.". The band continued its steady touring schedule, playing theatres, folk-music festivals, jam-band festivals, and other venues, while gathering much praise for its unique sound and enjoyable live concerts. The band eventually built up a fanbase who call themselves Hobos.
In 2003 Dave Von Dollen was replaced by bassist Johnny Grubb. In 2004 the band released its third studio effort, The Good Life, featuring "Storms," Mourning Flies," and "Goat." The band continued to tour throughout the country, and its first live album, Elko, was issued in late January 2006. They performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 15, 2007.
The band's fourth studio album, entitled Amen Corner, was released on June 10, 2008. The new album features songs such as "Been Down This Road," "Hard Livin'," "Waggin' The Dog," and "Lovin' You".
On November 11, 2009, Grubb announced his departure from the band after Railroad Earth's New Year's Eve run of shows in Portland, OR. In February 2010, Andrew Altman of the Codetalkers and Blueground Undergrass was named as his successor.
The band's self-titled fifth album was released on Oct 12, 2010. The album features Andy Goessling playing electric guitar for the first time, plus an 11-minute instrumental written by John Skehan entitled "Spring-Heeled Jack" (SHJ is John Skehan's initials backwards); the latter is the longest studio track to date for the band.
Andy Goessling passed away in October 2018.
Grandfather Mountain
Railroad Earth Lyrics
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Still and lying on his back
Our ancient host, Grandfather Mountain
Many million years and counting
Laying on his back, counting stars
Up in the sky, above his head
Eyes and nose of solid granite,
Planet, watching ages come and go
A cloud comes by and sits his upon nose
He blows it down the ancient valley
Towards the busy town
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man, how are you today
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man how are you today
Hey, hey, hey!
Find a day and cross the
Swinging bridge and climb his
face and feel the grace the
blowing breeze and shining sun
While you're here and have a minute,
Take the view and glory in it
Year by year floating by Grandfather Mountain
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man, how are you today?
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man, how are you today?
Hey, hey, hey!
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years fade away
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'
Tell me old man, how are you today
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'
Tell me old man, how are you today
Hey, hey, hey!
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years fade away
The song "Grandfather Mountain" by Railroad Earth is an ode to the majestic mountain range in the Blue Ridge Mountains, located in the North Carolina and Tennessee border of the southeastern United States. The song captures the timeless beauty and mythical presence of Grandfather Mountain, which has been lying on his back, motionless and still for millions of years. The "ancient host" is viewed as a mystical and wise mentor, who has seen generations of people come and go. The band sings about the eyes and nose of solid granite, which are the oldest on the planet, and how they observe the cycles of life and nature. The cloud that drifts by and rests on Grandfather Mountain's nose signifies the transient nature of things, and how the mountain plays its part in the circle of life.
The lyrics also serve as an invitation to visit Grandfather Mountain, to climb its face, feel the blowing breeze and shining sun, and take in the captivating view that it offers. The song acknowledges the importance of such visits, as they are fleeting reminders of the passage of time, and the ever-changing nature of the world.
In summary, the song encapsulates the awe-inspiring quality of Grandfather Mountain and highlights its prophetic role in reminding us of the cyclicality of life.
Line by Line Meaning
High up in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The song begins by introducing the setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a range in the Appalachian Mountains.
Still and lying on his back
The song refers to Grandfather Mountain as lying on his back, which likely means he is a mountain peak with a flat top.
Our ancient host, Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is an anthropomorphic figure in this song, referred to as a host, who has been around for millions of years.
Many million years and counting
Grandfather Mountain has been around for an incredibly long time, and he will likely be around for much longer.
Laying on his back, counting stars
Grandfather Mountain is personified as an individual who spends his time stargazing and admiring the stars above him.
Up in the sky, above his head
The stars Grandfather Mountain gazes upon are located in the sky above his head.
Eyes and nose of solid granite,
Grandfather Mountain has a face made of granite, with eyes and a nose that have been weathered over millions of years.
They're the oldest eyes upon the
Planet, watching ages come and go
Grandfather Mountain's eyes have been around for millions of years, making them the oldest eyes on the planet. They have seen many generations of life come and go.
A cloud comes by and sits his upon nose
He blows it down the ancient valley
Towards the busy town
The song describes Grandfather Mountain exhaling a cloud of mist that travels down the valley towards a nearby town.
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man, how are you today
Tell me old man, what are you dreamin'?
Tell me old man how are you today
Hey, hey, hey!
The chorus of the song asks Grandfather Mountain what he's thinking and how he's feeling today.
Find a day and cross the
Swinging bridge and climb his
face and feel the grace the
blowing breeze and shining sun
The song encourages listeners to visit Grandfather Mountain and enjoy the beauty of nature by walking across the swinging bridge and climbing the mountain's face.
While you're here and have a minute,
Take the view and glory in it
Year by year floating by Grandfather Mountain
The lyrics urge people to appreciate the natural wonder of Grandfather Mountain and take in the view year after year as time goes by.
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years fade away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years wash away
Just watching the years fade away
The song repeats the words 'watching the years' to emphasize the longevity and timelessness of Grandfather Mountain.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.