Donovan - There Is a Mountain/Sand and Foam

“There Is a Mountain” is a famous song by the Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan , released in 1967. This song, with its playful melody and philosophical lyrics, became a hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The song is known for its influence on Eastern philosophy and has an upbeat, almost mantra-like quality.

Theme and Meaning

“There Is a Mountain” revolves around the idea of perception and the cyclical nature of life, with text that refers to a Buddhist saying: “First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is another mountain” This sentence is a metaphor for changing perspectives and how our view of reality evolves through experiences and insights. Donovan uses this philosophical idea in a light-hearted and playful way, which is characteristic of his style in the late 1960s.

Musical Style

The song has a happy, uptempo folk melody, with light percussion and a catchy rhythm. Donovan's distinctive voice and acoustic guitar are the key elements in the song, although the arrangement is rich in subtle influences from world music, reflecting the increasing interest in Eastern culture and spirituality in the 1960s.

Donovan's Influence in the 1960s

In the 1960s, Donovan became one of the leading figures in the folk and rock scene, with his mix of introspective lyrics, Eastern philosophy and psychological themes. “There Is a Mountain” is one of the many songs from this period in which he combined spiritual themes with playful music, making his work both accessible and profound.