Introduction:
Ah, yes, Alan Jackson’s heartwarming “Blue Ridge Mountain Song”. Released in 2013, this track nestled itself comfortably within his critically acclaimed album, The Bluegrass Album. A departure from Jackson’s usual neo-traditional country sound, the album paid homage to the roots of country music, bluegrass. This particular song, however, transcends genre. It’s a ballad, a love letter to a place and a way of life, a testament to the enduring power of home.
Jackson, a native Georgian with a deep appreciation for the South, wasn’t new to singing about rural landscapes. But “Blue Ridge Mountain Song” feels particularly intimate. Perhaps it’s the influence of bluegrass itself, a genre born in the Appalachian Mountains – the very same mountains the song celebrates. Bluegrass, with its focus on acoustic instruments like the banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, creates a sense of rustic charm that perfectly complements Jackson’s warm baritone. The production, likely overseen by longtime collaborator Keith Stegall, is tasteful and understated, allowing the melody and Jackson’s vocals to take center stage.
The song itself is a quiet meditation on the simple pleasures of life lived amidst the grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jackson doesn’t dwell on the specific geographical details, but rather evokes a feeling. We hear about a winding dirt road, a field of wildflowers, and the comfort of a crackling fire. These are images that resonate with anyone who has ever sought solace in nature’s embrace.
“Blue Ridge Mountain Song” wasn’t a chart-topping hit, but it resonated deeply with fans and critics alike. It became a standout track on The Bluegrass Album, praised for its sincerity and its ability to capture the essence of a particular place and time. More importantly, it solidified Jackson’s reputation as an artist who could not only deliver catchy tunes, but also weave stories that tug at the heartstrings. The song is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest beauty lies not in grand gestures, but in the quiet appreciation of the simple things, a sentiment that resonates deeply with audiences across generations.
So, when you hit play on “Blue Ridge Mountain Song”, prepare to be transported. Let Jackson’s voice guide you through the rolling hills and whispering pines of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a journey that will leave you feeling centered, perhaps a little nostalgic, and undoubtedly grateful for the beauty that surrounds us, wherever we may call home.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Blue Ridge Mountain Song”
She was barely 17, he was tall and strong and lean
They were deep in love by June
Hand in hand beneath that moonAnd she sang a little blue ridge mountain song
And he’d just hum along
And they’d dance all night till dawn
On a hillside all aloneThey were young and they were free
Like a mountain melody
In love as they could be
Singing that blue ridge song
She married in her mama’s wedding gown
Bought a house and settled down
He worked driving all around
All at large from town to town
And he’d come home every night
And she’d be waiting in the front porch light
And she’d sing a little blue ridge mountain song
And he’d just hum along
And they’d dance all night till dawn
On the front porch all alone
They were young and they were free
Like a mountain melody
In love as they could be
Singing that blue ridge song
They couldn’t tell him what was wrong
But they just didn’t know
It wasn’t very long until Jesus called her home
And he got down on his knees
Said “God don’t take my love from me”
Just let her sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Like she has all along
And I’ll dance with her till dawn
On a hill side all alone
And we’ll spend eternity like a mountain melody
In love as we can be
Singing that blue ridge song
Now he lives there all alone
In the house that they call home
In his heart there lies a void (?)
From the absence of her voice
And he lays down every night
Dreams about that front porch light
Where she sang a little blue ridge mountain song
And he’d just hum along
And they’d dance all night until dawn
On the hillside all alone
They were young and they were free
Like a mountain melody
In love as they could be
Singing that blue ridge song
Little blue ridge mountain song
Singing that blue ridge song
Sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Singing that blue ridge song
Sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Singing that blue ridge song
Sing a little blue ridge mountain song
Sing a little blue ride mountain song
Little blue ridge mountain song