Shindell's songwriting often involves storytelling from a first-person point of view: for example, from an INS officer and illegal immigrant in "Fishing", to a World War II soldier in "Sparrows Point", to a Confederate drummerboy in "Arrowhead", to an Argentine grandmother of Plaza de Mayo in "Abuelita", to a power broker in "Confession".
His first album was released in 1991. Shindell collaborated with Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky to form the group Cry Cry Cry. On their eponymous 1998 album, Cry Cry Cry covered an eclectic mix of songwriters, from the famous R.E.M. to the lesser known folk singer James Keelaghan. The trio toured in support of their album, but later resumed their solo careers. They have not mentioned plans for future recordings, although Shindell and Kaplansky often appear on stage together. Shindell's "The Ballad of Mary Magdalen" (as performed by Cry Cry Cry) was used in the background during an ABC News Nightline report on The DaVinci Code.
Shindell's career received a boost in 1997 when Joan Baez recorded three of his songs ("Fishing", "Reunion Hill" and "Money for Floods") for her album Gone from Danger, and invited him to join her 1997-98 tour.
In 2000, Shindell released Somewhere Near Paterson (Signature Sounds), which quickly became his most successful release to date and established Shindell as one of the premier performing songwriters in popular music.
Somewhere Near Paterson was followed by Courier, the live reprise of many of Shindell’s best-loved songs, in support of which he continues to tour.
Also in 2000, Shindell and his family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he recorded his latest album, Vuelta, released in 2004. He joined up with an Argentine group, Puente Celeste, to create a unique sound for his newest work.
He released Somewhere South of Delia, a record of cover songs, March 2007.
Discography:
Sparrows Point (1992)
Blue Divide (1995)
Reunion Hill (1997)
Somewhere Near Paterson (2000)
Courier (2002)
Vuelta (2004)
Somewhere South of Delia (2007)
Not Far Now (2009)
13 Songs You May Or May Not Have Heard Before (2011)
Tomorrow You're Going (2015), with Lucy Kaplansky
Careless (2016)
The Mountain
Richard Shindell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
raised up by merchants and drugstore liars
now i walk on the paths of glory
one foot in ice, one in fire
i see the mountain, the mountain comes to me
i see the mountain and that is all i see
some lay him down in a junkyard bay
some will chase us and some will call us
gone, gone, gone in a day
gone to the mountain, the mountain comes to me
i see the mountain and that is all i see
miller take me and miller grind me
scatter by bones on the wild green tide
maybe some roving bird will find me
over the water we'll ride
over the mountain, the mountain comes to me
i see the mountain and that is all i see
some build temples and some find altars
some come in tall hats and robes spun fine
some in rags, some in gemstone halters
some push the pegs back in line
i see the mountain, the mountain comes to me
i see the mountain and that is all i see
The opening verse of Richard Shindell's song The Mountain paints a vivid picture of the singer's background. He was born into a world of deceit, surrounded by merchants and drugstore liars, with a forked-tongued story being the only reality he knew. Despite this, he has now found himself walking the paths of glory, in a state of conflict represented by his feet being in ice and fire. It's not hard to imagine the difficult journey that led to his present state of being.
As the song progresses, the mountain becomes a central figure. It is ever-present, coming into view when the singer least expects it. When he sees the mountain, it is all he sees. The mountain is metaphorical, representing the journey of life and the obstacles that stand in the way. Some may find solace in the journey, while others may end up in a junkyard bay. It's a reminder that life is fleeting, with some gone in a day.
In the final verse, the singer speaks of his mortality, as he asks Miller to grind him and scatter his bones on the wild green tide. He seems almost accepting of his fate, as he imagines himself being found by a roving bird over the water. Those who come to the mountain do so in different ways, some building temples, while others come in rags or gemstone halters. The journey is one of discovery, and everyone approaches it in their unique way.
Line by Line Meaning
i was born in a forked-tongued story
I was born into a world of deceit and falsehood.
raised up by merchants and drugstore liars
I was raised by those who were dishonest about their trade.
now i walk on the paths of glory
Despite my upbringing, I now walk a path of success and fame.
one foot in ice, one in fire
My life is full of both hardship and exhilaration.
i see the mountain, the mountain comes to me
I face challenges that seem insurmountable and inescapable.
some poor prophet comes, some find solace
Some seek guidance from prophets, while others find comfort in their words.
some lay him down in a junkyard bay
Some prophets are discarded and ignored.
some will chase us and some will call us
People will pursue us for different reasons, some good and some bad.
gone, gone, gone in a day
Our time on earth is fleeting and we may be forgotten quickly.
miller take me and miller grind me
After death, I wish to be reduced to dust by a miller.
scatter by bones on the wild green tide
I hope my remains will be dispersed and carried away by the sea.
maybe some roving bird will find me
Perhaps my bones will be discovered and repurposed by nature.
over the water we'll ride
In death, I will pass over into a new existence.
some build temples and some find altars
People worship in different ways, through grand temples or personal altars.
some come in tall hats and robes spun fine
Some religious leaders are adorned in extravagant clothing.
some in rags, some in gemstone halters
Others are humble and poor, or even ostentatious with jewels.
some push the pegs back in line
Some try to enforce conformity and establish a standard.
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.