Light up with me my dear,
Light up.
Under stormy night, tell nobody.

My brother where do you intend to go tonight?
I heard that you missed your connecting flight,
to the blue ridge mountains, over near Tennessee.

You're ever welcome with me any time you like,
Let's drive to the country side, leave behind some green-eyed look-a-likes,
So no one gets worried, no.
So no one gets worried, no.

But Sean don't get callous,
I'm sure it'll be fine.
I love you, I love you,
Oh brother of mine.

In the quivering forest,
Where the shivering dog rests,
I will do it grandfather,
Wilt to wood and end.
And the river got frozen,
And the hole got snowed in,
And near the moon glow ride,
Till the morning light.

Terrible am I child?
Even if you don't mind,
In the quivering forest,
Where the shivering dog rests,
I will do it grandfather,
Wilt to wood and end.
And the river got frozen,
And the hole got snowed in,
And near the moon glow ride,
Till the morning light.

Terrible am I child?
Even if you don't mind,
No.



Lyrics submitted by obnoxious, edited by RamuneDrink, mindfckd4life, Pagan, Salvar

Track duration: 04:26

"Blue Ridge Mountains" as written by Townes Van Zandt

Lyrics © BUG MUSIC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Blue Ridge Mountains song meanings
Add your thoughts

52 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    Song Meaning:In addition to the comment below, I also agree with the interpretation that the brother is generally 'wayward' or at risk to himself.

    Also -

    The brother:
    "Terrible I am, child.
    Even if you don't mind.
    No."
    Flag Paganon April 18, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:This is a beautiful song and every line is relevant. It is about a one-time infidelity, long ago, between the narrator's wife and his elder brother. It occurred in the narrator's house in the woods in a snow storm (notice the use of the words 'nest' and 'home', rather than 'cabin' or 'house'). The narrator forgives and loves his brother and would like their relationship mended and as it was in their youth, but this is no longer possible. The brother cannot forgive himself. The 'shivering dog' that 'rests' describes the narrator in the aftermath of the affair. Also notice the sadness with which the opening lines are sung. The correct lyrics are below:

    Lie down with me, my dear.
    Lie down
    Under stormy night.
    Tell nobody.

    My brother, where do you intend to go tonight?
    I heard that you missed your connecting flight
    To the Blue Ridge Mountains, over near Tennessee.

    You're ever welcome with me any time you like.
    Let's drive to the countryside, leave behind some green-eyed look-a-likes,
    So no one gets worried, no.
    So no one gets worried, no.

    But Sean, don't get careless.
    I'm sure it'll be fine.
    I love you, I love you,
    Oh brother of mine.

    In the quivering forest,
    Where the shivering dog rests,
    Our good grandfather
    Built a wooden nest.
    And the river got frozen,
    And the home got snowed in,
    And a yellow moon glowed bright
    Til the morning light.

    Terrible I am, child.
    Even if you don't mind.

    In the quivering forest,
    Where the shivering dog rests,
    Our good grandfather
    Built a wooden nest.
    And the river got frozen,
    And the home got snowed in,
    And a yellow moon glowed bright
    Til the morning light.

    Terrible I am, child.
    Even if you don't mind.
    No.
    Flag Paganon April 18, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So many wrong lyrics. I swear they used to be correct. Someone changed them to jackass lyrics that don't make any sense.
    Flag mindfckd4lifeon March 08, 2013   Link
  • -2
    Song Meaning:This song makes much more sense after reading "The Present" at truthcontest.com. I would suggest reading it, since it would take forever for me to explain why it makes the song meaning obvious. ;)
    Flagged Vincent720on February 19, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Sorry. My grammar is terrible, but i had some insights.
    It's more like BrokeBack Mountains for me. Kidding, but somehow the song remember it.
    As someone said, this song seems to be a wonderful story between two guys that discovered in each other their sexual options in a early age. Then, Sean went away of the Blue Ridge Mountains to live his own life.
    The first lines says that the singer is remembering some memories of his lover.
    Destiny brought Sean back. And our narrator is trying to contact with him.

    "Let's drive to the country side, leave behind some green-eyed look-a-likes"

    Someone green-eyed knows their secret?

    "But Sean don't get callous,
    I'm sure it'll be fine.
    I love you, I love you,
    Oh brother of mine."

    He is not recognizing his lover, or maybe worried because of his strange behavior. But, he needs to say to himself that everything is ok. And nothing has changed.

    The rest of the song seems like memories of narrator's childhood or the time he spent with Sean.
    The last lines are beautiful:
    "Terrible am I child?
    Even if you don't mind,
    No."

    He may had remembered some mistake he did, and i see Sean needing an explanation. Sean also don't care about his mistake.

    This masterpiece for me have a sad ending. Sean never answer the Narrator.
    Flag gabrielfmbon December 04, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I think there definitely is a message behind this song but most of everyone is stretching the meaning to far. I believe this song is written to Sean, the singers brother and is simply about remembering each others roots and the simple relationship they had before all the complexities off life rolled in and strayed them them further away from each other. To conscientiously be aware that its always important to take a break from it all; the people, obligations, and worries and remember the foundation and core both the singer and his brother have in their relationship and within themselves.
    Flag max3994on August 23, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:and it's "lie down with me my dear" not "light up"
    Flag jacurdyon June 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When the song tempo begins to rise, and Pecknold is nearly screaming lyrics (in a lovely way) the correct lyrics are "In the quivering forest/ where the shivering dog rests/ our good grandfather built a wooden nest... and the yellow moon glowed bright/ 'till the morning light"
    Flag jacurdyon June 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone else get strong mental images when listening to FF? This song makes me feel like I'm in a wooden cabin in th middle of the forest with snow lightly falling outside my window. I am completely alone sitting in a big chair in front of a fire and no one knows I'm there. My definition of serenity I guess.
    Flag lingeronon January 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Such a beautiful song. Addressed to his brother, I think.
    Flag Hippybuggsgirlon May 21, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain