He was born in the summer of his 27th year
Coming home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hanging by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast and it don't last for long

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high (Colorado)

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it raining fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky mountain high

It's Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky mountain high (x5)



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 04:47

"Rocky Mountain High" as written by John Denver, John Denver, Mike Taylor

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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Rocky Mountain High song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The whole first stanza is about his becoming a "born again" Christian in "the summer of his 27th year."

    He is singing about quietly waling in the mountains, "Seeking grace in every step he takes," and talking with God (listening to his casual reply).

    He does take great pleasure in the outdoors, but lets not put the cart before the horse.
    Flag eeeeeeekon June 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song brings back memories of going to yellowstone and yosemite when I was little...it is one of the best songs I've ever heard and it holds so many memories for me. I know that I will do what my parents did and listen to John Denver while we go camping and show them the beauty of his music and mother nature. I might only be a senior in high school but this song has inspired me since I couldn't talk.
    Flag Geehwon February 16, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song reminds me of the place I used to go when I was little. It was torn down to put up a stupid hotel resort thingy and it broke my heart, but it'll always be in my mind and soul. :\ I love this song.
    Flag horseluver25on February 02, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:OMG! Some knuckleheads will take any chance to pontificate their twisted BS, even over a decent man's grave. I don't think an atheist would use the very words in this song, "you can talk to God and listen to the casual reply" if he was truely atheist. Or how about "Thank God I'm a Country boy"? Find another cantidate to hang your foolishness on. You've got the wrong guy with which to associate your atheism, you moran.
    Sheesh.

    And, yes it's true, a meteor shower was the inspiration for "I've seen it rainin fire from the sky".
    Flag Yosemiteguyon January 05, 2009   Link
  • -3
    General Comment:he was atheist, too.
    Flag john galton August 23, 2008   Link
  • -4
    General Comment:john was a hedonist. enjoyed hash and alcohol. one of the greatest guitarist to have lived. the earth is good, not damned as religions would have you believe.
    Flag john galton August 19, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:"I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky" refers to a time when him several of his friends (including his x-wife who is still alive) went up to the Colorado mountains to watch a meteor shower. He said that they were some where around 10,500 ft elevation with the tree line right below them. The x-wife said that it was an amazing meteor shower that you must one day experience from way up in the mountains.

    I also experienced this life the last 5 years living in California, near mountains. I recently made the biggest mistake of my life taking a job promotion. They moved me to NYC. These people who were born and raised here have no freakin idea what they are missing. And by the way, this is the dirtiest city I have ever encountered. To include trips to Mexico! I have lived all over the country and several countries. You have no idea if you have lived in the city your whole life. Just my 02. cents.
    Flag globe traveleron August 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great song, but can anyone explain the meaning of "I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky"? My son, 12, also a big JD fan asked me and I don't know.
    Flag pilgramon July 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
    Rocky Mountain high

    was john denver a stoner?
    Flag Darth Eddie Vaderon May 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the soung is about being in the mountains and watching a metor shower. he did this with his then wife and friends and it inspired him to write this song
    Flag mr above averageon March 22, 2008   Link

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