There is a Mountain

Album: Greatest Hits (1967)
Charted: 8 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Donovan has explained that this song is about the process of change and is adapted from an old Zen proverb:

    First there is a mountain
    Then there is no mountain
    Then there is


    The song uses elements of nature but doesn't have any real drug influences. It is done with a calypso beat.
  • The Allman Brothers adapted this for their "Mountain Jam" and in 2009 the song was covered by Kenny Loggins for his All Join In album which features his daughter Hana on the second verse and a children's chorus. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sara - Silver Spring, MD, for above 2
  • This was used in 2008 commercials for the Toyota RAV4.
  • The flute on this song came courtesy of Harold McNair, who was a Caribbean Jazz player that played on many of Donovan's recordings.

Comments: 2

  • AnonymousIt's not "the lock" it's just "look uopn"
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdDonovan is said to get the idea when he was living in a house in Scotland, and first there was a mountain, then there was no mountain and then there was!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.