Song: “Many Ways up the Mountain”

Behind the Song

This one’s more like a meditation/a reflection/a mood — rather than an idea.

As I wrote it, it the narrator began to take shape. He seemed world-weary … spent … melancholy — but also complete. I imagine him taking a break from his rest to instruct a youngster eager to conquer the world.

(Oh, and I also swiped a line from Tolkien. Can you spot which one? Here’s a hint: It’s from a song in Book 2 of The Fellowship of the Ring.)

Lyrics

There's many ways up the mountain.
So many ways, and I've climbed them all.
There's many ways up the mountain
and just as many ways to fall.

There's many fish in the ocean.
So many fish, and I can count them all.
There's many fish in the ocean
some are big, and some are small.

There's many words you can live by.
So many words, and I should know.
There's many words you can live by
some are high, some are low.

Take a walk with me;
there's a lot you haven't seen;
in every wood a different green;
in every nook a different show.

There's many ways up the mountain.
So many ways, and more to fall.
There's many ways up the mountain,
so many ways, and I've climbed them all.
So many ways, and I've climbed them all.