Rodgers and Hammerstein were an American songwriting duo consisting of Rich… Read Full Bio ↴Rodgers and Hammerstein were an American songwriting duo consisting of Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960). They are most famous for creating a string of immensely popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s, during what is considered the golden age of the medium. Five of their shows were outstanding successes: Oklahoma! (their first collaboration); Carousel; South Pacific; The King and I; and The Sound of Music. Among the many accolades they garnered were thirty-four Tony Awards; fifteen Academy Awards; two Pulitzer Prizes; two Grammy Awards; and two Emmy Awards.

The pair wrote nine musicals together and collaborated on a musical film, State Fair. As producers, they also brought Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun to the stage, leaving an indelible mark on American musical theater and a legacy of successes that has never been equaled.

Our greatest living Broadway composer, Steven Sondheim, spent summers with Oscar Hammerstein during his formative adoplescent years. The legacy lives on.

Climb Ev'ry Mountain
Rodgers And Hammerstein Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Climb ev'ry mountain
Search high and low
Follow ev'ry by-way
Every path you know

Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow

'Till you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Everyday of your life
For as long as you live

Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow
'Till you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Everyday of your life
For as long as you live

Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream

Follow ev'ry rainbow
'Till you find your dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II convey a message of perseverance and determination in pursuing one's dreams. The song speaks about the need to explore every possible avenue in the pursuit of one's goals. The lyrics admonish listeners to climb every high peak, search every low valley, and explore every by-way and path that is available to them.

The song's chorus is a call to action, urging listeners to push themselves to their limits and overcome every obstacle that stands in their way. The image of mountain climbing invokes a sense of physical and mental challenge, suggesting that pursuing one's dreams may not be easy, but it is achievable with effort and persistence.

The second verse emphasizes the importance of love and dedication in achieving one's goals. The lyrics speak of a dream that will require all the love one can give every day for the rest of their life. This suggests that the pursuit of one's dreams is not a one-time effort but rather a continuing process that requires commitment and dedication.

In summary, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is an inspirational anthem that encourages listeners to explore every avenue, overcome obstacles and demonstrate commitment to achieving their dreams at every stage of their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Climb ev'ry mountain
You must strive to achieve your greatest potential, no matter how difficult it may seem.

Search high and low
Exhaust all possibilities in your quest for success.

Follow ev'ry by-way
Take every alternate route or detour necessary to get closer to your goal.

Every path you know
Utilize every knowledge, skill, and experience you possess to reach your objective.

Ford ev'ry stream
Face and overcome the obstacles that you encounter along the way.

Follow ev'ry rainbow
Pursue every opportunity that presents itself that can lead you to your desired outcome.

'Till you find your dream
Keep persevering until you attain your aspiration.

A dream that will need
Your goal requires substantial effort and sacrifice.

All the love you can give
It necessitates your wholehearted commitment and dedication.

Every day of your life
It demands consistent and unwavering efforts daily.

For as long as you live
You must persistently strive for as long as you breathe.