• From: Chillicothe, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-08-16
  • Posts: 1,013

Topic: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

When I was a youngster my father often told me that whenever I was faced with a problem or had to deal with an issue I should try different solutions until I found one that worked. If there were multiple solutions, then try different ones until finding the one that worked best. Or as he would say "there's different ways to skin a cat". Years later I read that a saying among mariners was "you can't change the wind, so trim your sails", which was another way to say that one must adapt to conditions and do what is required to overcome a problem.

Years ago the U.S. was hit with several major storms that decimated some areas and required the residents to find ways to overcome their loss.  Some just gave up and left the area, some expected the govt. or someone else to cure their problems, but there were others that rolled up their sleeves and went to work to regain what was lost. They inspired me to write a song I called "Mountain Too High"

https://soundcloud.com/user-198880521/mountain-too-high 

The whole world has been ravaged by the effects of COVID-19 this year. I was thinking about how we are all coping with the problem - some staying home, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, others caring for the sick in hospitals or working on developing a vaccine. It's necessary that we all pull together to overcome this pandemic. This evening I re-wrote the lyrics to my song to be applicable to today's problem:

Mountain Too High  Ken Willis




If a [G]mountain is too high to climb we must [F#m]find a road around it


And [G]if there are no roads then [D]we must make a [A]trail


The [G]winds of life keep swirling and they [F#m]push in all directions


And [G]since we cannot change the wind then we [A]must trim our [D]sails




[D]We all woke up one morning, every[G]thing turned upside-[D]down


[D]People dying [F#m] 'round the world, others [G]fighting to stay [A]alive


[D]We must protect our families, our [G]neighbors and our [D]friends


[D]And if we work together, I [A]know that we'll survive, 'cause


If a [G]mountain is too high to climb we must [F#m]find a road around it



And [G]if there are no roads then [D]we must make a [A]trail


The [G]winds of life keep swirling and they [F#m]push in all directions


And [G]since we cannot change the wind then we [A]must trim our [D]sails


[D]We must use the tools we have and [G]we must use our [D]minds


[D]If a path leads to [F#m]recovery then [G]that's the path we'll [A]find


[D]We've got to help each other until a [G]cure is on the [D]way


[D]And we wake again each morning to a [A]bright and shining day, ' cause


If a [G]mountain is too high to climb we must [F#m]find a road around it


And [G]if there are no roads then [D]we must make a [A]trail


The [G]winds of life keep swirling and they [F#m]push in all directions


And [G]since we cannot change the wind then we [A]must trim our [D]sails



 

I want to read my own water, choose my own path, write my own songs
  • TIGLJK
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  • Registered: 2010-05-11
  • Posts: 3,164

Re: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

Ken
That is fantastic !

What A beautiful song and beautiful performance !
It's so appropriate for today.  Really enjoyed it.
I wish I could play and sing like you - very jealous  smile

Thanks for sharing.

Jim     

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke

3 Reply by Peatle Jville (edited by Peatle Jville 2020-12-09 19:42:37)

  • Registered: 2015-07-31
  • Posts: 2,718

Re: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

DE I like the common sense positivity of your song.  Excellent story telling with an empowering message.

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,649

Re: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

another great song, put me in mind of james taylor     

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

  • From: Nottingham England
  • Registered: 2014-01-13
  • Posts: 621

Re: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

I really enjoyed listening to this, nice melody great lyrics what is their not to like about this song. I can hear the James Taylor influence but also a bit of John Denver me thinks and that's no bad thing.     

Thick as two short planks
  • From: Chillicothe, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-08-16
  • Posts: 1,013

Re: Old Song/Updated Lyrics - Mountain Too High

keepitreal wrote:

I really enjoyed listening to this, nice melody great lyrics what is their not to like about this song. I can hear the James Taylor influence but also a bit of John Denver me thinks and that's no bad thing.

I'm flattered. My influence for learning to play guitar and write songs was John Denver.  When my wife and I were dating we went to some of his concerts. At our wedding, other than the traditional "Here comes the Bride", all other music was our favorite John Denver tunes played on piano.

Thanks for the comments everyone. 

DE     

I want to read my own water, choose my own path, write my own songs