About the song
A Song of Soaring Peaks and Enduring Love
John Denver’s “Wrangle Mountain Song” is a captivating ballad that paints a vivid picture of the Alaskan wilderness and the enduring power of love. Released in 1980, the song quickly became a beloved classic, capturing the hearts of listeners with its soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Denver’s gentle vocals and emotive guitar work perfectly complement the song’s themes of natural beauty, personal connection, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.
Setting the Scene: Alaska’s Rugged Beauty
The song opens with a setting that is both remote and breathtaking: “Sunday, and it’s raining in Alaska / Seven days, I haven’t seen the sun.” The listener is immediately transported to the Alaskan wilderness, a land of towering mountains, dense forests, and vast expanses of untamed nature. Denver’s evocative imagery paints a picture of a world both harsh and beautiful, a place where the forces of nature are both awe-inspiring and humbling.
A Pilot’s Journey: Longing for Home
The protagonist of the song is a pilot, flying through the Alaskan skies, longing for the warmth and comfort of home. The lyrics convey a deep sense of isolation and loneliness, as the pilot navigates the treacherous weather and vast distances of the Alaskan landscape. Yet, amidst the solitude, there is also a sense of determination and resilience, as the pilot presses on, guided by the hope of returning home.
The Power of Love: A Beacon in the Wilderness
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the power of love, a beacon of hope that shines brightly amidst the wilderness. The pilot sings: “I can’t wait to see the Wrangell Mountains / I can’t wait to do what I will do / When I can’t wait to get back home to you.” These lines express a deep longing for connection and belonging, a desire to be reunited with loved ones amidst the vastness of the Alaskan wilderness.
A Timeless Classic: Enduring Themes
“Wrangle Mountain Song” has resonated with listeners for decades due to its universal themes of love, longing, and the enduring beauty of nature. Denver’s heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies have cemented the song’s place as a timeless classic, a testament to the power of music to connect with the human spirit. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsman or an armchair traveler, “Wrangle Mountain Song” will transport you to the heart of the Alaskan wilderness and leave you with a profound appreciation for the power of love and the beauty of the natural world.
Video
Lyrics
“John Denver – Wrangle Mountain Song”
Sunday and it’s raining in AlaskaSeven days, I haven’t seen the sun Flying bush, flying low along the shore lune Doing everything I can to make it homeI can’t wait to see the Wrangle MountainI can’t wait to do what I will do Honey, did I never say how time goes by so slowly When I can’t wait to get back home to youThree years from the war and settled down nowI did my time and served my country well In the freedom I defended I fly beneath the North Star And I just don’t know a better way to feelI can’t wait to see the Wrangle MountainI can’t wait to do what I will do Honey, did I never say how time goes by so slowly When I can’t wait to get back home to youIt’s a quiet life out here among the mountainsIn a cabin that was built with these two hands McCarthey lies asleep beside the Glacier It’s colder now, winter’s in the air If you think they’re wild it’s just because they can’t be broken It’s a strong and gentle people living thereI can’t wait to see the Wrangle MountainI can’t wait to do what I will do Honey, did I never say how time goes by so slowly When I can’t wait to get back home to you