Mandolin Rain

Album: The Way It Is (1986)
Charted: 70 4
Play Video
  • The song came and went
    Like the times that we spent
    Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent
    I laughed and she'd smile
    It would last for awhile
    You don't know what you got till you lose it all again

    Listen to the mandolin rain
    Listen to the music on the lake
    Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
    Listen to the banjo wind
    A sad song drifting low
    Listen to the tears roll
    Down my face as she turns to go

    A cool evening dance
    Listening to the bluegrass band takes the chill
    From the air 'til they play the last song
    I'll do my time
    Keeping you off my mind but there's moments
    That I find, I'm not feeling so strong

    Listen to the mandolin rain
    Listen to the music on the lake
    Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
    Listen to the banjo wind
    A sad song drifting low
    Listen to the tears roll
    Down my face as she turns to go

    Running down by the lake shore
    She did love the sound of a summer storm
    It played on the lake like a mandolin
    Now it's washing her away again

    Listen to the mandolin rain
    Listen to the music on the lake
    Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
    Listen to the banjo wind
    A sad song drifting low
    Listen to the tears roll
    Down my face as she turns to go

    The boat's steaming in
    I watch the side wheel spin and I
    Think about her when I hear that whistle blow
    I can't change my mind
    I knew all the time that she'd go
    But that's a choice I made long ago

    Listen to the mandolin rain
    Listen to the music on the lake
    Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
    Listen to the banjo wind
    A sad song drifting low
    Listen to the tears roll
    Down my face as she turns to go Writer/s: Bruce Hornsby, John Hornsby
    Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Angela M. from KsI loved this song in my teenage years. When I was 24 I had my first child. I named her Mandolin ( Mandi) Rayne ( I changed the spelling bacause grandpa's name was Ray). But, she doesn't like it! Shes 27 now!
  • Mark Ivey from PaWhat was the name of the Keyboard player in Mandolin Rain and The Way It Is?
  • Susan from Las Vegas, NevadaNothing but pure love!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 11th 1987, "Mandolin Rain" by Bruce Hornsby & the Range entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #69; and nine weeks later on March 15th, 1987 it peaked at #4 for one week...
    And the day it peaked at #4 on the Top 100 chart it reached #1 {for 3 weeks} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
    Between 1986 and 1995 the group had ten Top 100 records; with three reaching the Top 10, their other two Top 10 records were "The Way It Is", it peaked at #1 for one week in 1986 and "Valley Road", which reached #5 for one week in 1988...
    Bruce Randall Hornsby will celebrate his 61st birthday come next November 23rd {2015}.
  • Nejimgers from ChileMost wonderful song ever hear it suggest peace and pure life.
  • James from Minna, Nigeriabeautiful soul shearing song...i love the mandolin i love the rain so naturally the song touched me...hope MY love never has to leave..
  • Chelsea from Phoenix , AzHe is just amazing, gotta love me some Bruce Hornsby to get me through the evening or anytime of the day! His greatest hits cd which i own is something i will never sell or give away, it's one of my most cherished cd's!
  • Justin from Rochester, NyBruce Hornsby recorded this song again, with bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, for their 2007 album "Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby"; this version was recorded in a more minor, subdued manner.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

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

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.