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: 1

  • 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

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.