Harris, Emmylou - Wild Montana Skies Lyrics
He was born in the Bitteroot Valley in the early morning rain
Wild geese over the water, heading north and home again
Bringin' a warm wind from the south, bringin'
the first taste of the spring
His mother took him to her breast and softly she did sing:
Oh, Montana, give this child a home
Give him the love of a good family and a woman of his own
Give him a fire in his heart, give him a light in his eyes
Give him the wild wind for a brother and the wild Montana skies
His mother died that summer and he never learned to cry
He never knew his father and he never did ask why
He never knew the answers that would make an easy way
But he learned to know the wilderness and to be a man that way
Gave him a hand that he could lean on and a strength to call his own
And he learned to be a farmer and he learned to love the land
And he learned to read the seasons and he learned to make a stand
On the eve of his 21st birthday, he set out on his own
He was 30 years and runnin' when he found his way back home
Ridin' a storm across the mountains and an achin' in his heart
Said he came to turn the pages and to make a brand new start
Now he never told the story of the time that he was gone
Some say he was a lawyer, some say he was a john
There was something in the city that he said he couldn't breathe
There was something in the country that he said he couldn't leave
Now some say he was crazy and some are glad he's gone
But some of us will miss him and we'll try to carry on
Giving a voice to the forest, giving a voice to the dawn
Giving a voice to the wilderness and the land that he lived on
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Harris, Emmylou - High Powered Love
- Harris, Emmylou - Wrecking Ball
- Harris, Emmylou - Goin' Back To Harlan
- Harris, Emmylou - Deeper Well
- Harris, Emmylou - Every Grain Of Sand
- Harris, Emmylou - Sweet Old World
- Harris, Emmylou - May This Be Love
- Harris, Emmylou - Orphan Girl
- Harris, Emmylou - Blackhawk
- Harris, Emmylou - All My Tears
- Harris, Emmylou - Goodbye
- Harris, Emmylou - Where Will I Be
- Harris, Emmylou - You Don't Know Me
- Harris, Emmylou - Prayer In Open D
- Harris, Emmylou - Crescent City
- Harris, Emmylou - Lovin' You Again
- Harris, Emmylou - Jersusalem Tomorrow
- Harris, Emmylou - Thanks To You
Rand Lyrics
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Harris, Emmylou Wild Montana Skies Comments
Emmylou makes everyone better, even great ones.
Beautiful, miss this man so much!
The harmony of two luscious voices.
I grew up in Livingston, Montana! Every time I hear this song, it always reminds me of home
So glad these two got to record together...
I used to call radio stations and request this to be played and it was played. I love it!!!
This is one of my favorites.
One of his best, but then again, they ALLWere his best, but they ALL were, but has ANYONE LISTENING, & ACT upon it??... NOT Washington!!!
Hi Fil from Wings of Pegasus has just done an analysis video of John singing his Leaving on a jet Plane , well worth a look,
Hi Robert, I,saw that. Wish Fil would do a few more of JD, especially his live singing and in later years.
Other music, other times, other magic atmosfere. Today all seems to be over. May be...
Thanks 😊😘 you can be my Pitt bull and I love you too babe and I hope you have a great 😍♥️😘 😚 I love you too babe
Legs lol 😂 love you too babe shit Head 😂😈🤸 🤙👀 😂 you keep checking Me that's Okay 😊😁 👌 legs lol 😂 love you too babe watch out for some payback can't wait to get you home and I love you too babe
I want to smell that neck legs lol 😂 love you too babe and I love you too babe have a good day at work today gorgeous 😍♥️💙 ❣️👀 👌 legs lol 😂 love you too babe
Jeez man 😂
Pedazo de canción
RIP, greatest country master of melody and emotions
If you think this is good, look up his other version; "John Denver wild montana skies Wildlife concert". This version is a heck of a lot better, in my opinion.
i always have to cry over this one. so why do i listen again?
Love this. Living here in the Bitterroot Valley, I totally resonate with this song.
I was born in that valley on a ranch I left home at a young age went to cowboy in Nevada then I ended up living in az for the past 20 year's became a top farrier for high end trainers faild marriages because was home sick they never understood how deeply I missed Montana well I'm going home August 12 for good I'll never leave Montana again.
6/9/18. Was looking for a YouTube movie [Montana sky] & found singer/songwriter talent John Denver. He was the best. miss his music - Montana sky with duet Emmylou Harris
Sat front row in Philly years ago, great show, amazing performer. He is missed, but we have his MUSIC.
John and Emmylou harmonize perfectly in this song...
This has always been and will always be one of my all time favorite songs!!!! <3
67 down thumbs need a punch in The throat
very very good song I ever heard
We listened to this as we drove through the Bitterroot Mountains.
I'll always miss you, John.
I sang this song to my four children when I nursed them. It’s a sweet memory of one of my favorite songs.
This song is beautiful but probably offensive to liberals
Fantastic song these two made. Love the harmony!
I saw John perform in Chicago in 1973. What a great concert. He had such a naturalness about him. No flashing lights, or smoke, etc, just him singing with his band. He sounded just as did on his recordings because he could SING! I still miss him!
No woman but emmylou could have sang harmony better than her on this song...........end of discussion
I really like john,and love the wonderful Emmylou!
Living in the Root' right now. Playing on my tummy for baby 3 ❤️
This is one of my all time favorite songs!
Did you know John Denver and Elton John were close friends like brothers?
Great ballad. SHE adds SOOOO much to it. Great harmony.
One of my Daddy's favorite songs he even played it on guitar
Two of the absolutely most talented singer / songwriters in the business - Emmylou Harris and John Denver.
Have you ever heard about the stories where a group of mermaids enchanted the sailors with their singing? Well that's exactly what happened to me right now listening to this woman's voice. Absolutely incredible.
John was such a fantastic performer, even better live than on record😇
Vienna, white Suit, Stadthalle....
Couldn't agree more!
Don't know why John Denver got the rep as pop-star pablum. Or became a guilty pleasure.
His songwriting was top notch. His performances , clean as they were, came across as heartfelt and not the least bit hokey.
If Emmylou will record with you .............
ursafan40
ursafan40 I'm going to go with Emmy MADE this song popular with her backing vocals.......end of discussion
Wonderful.
Mark Venzk
What's with Barbra Streisand at 2:03?
Streisand? You must mean when Emmylou Harris comes in to sing harmony (find "Red Dirt Girl" on YT). Streisand wishes she could sing like Emmylou!
his best song
Nice and sweet song.
The Country Life
by Aaron Peterson
there once was a time I was so alive and as a being, being a live, I, was not dead
I was alive because I lived in the country and I remember what some one to me once had said,
they said;
city folk who have never lived in the country, the country life they can not know
for they live in the city and that is the reason why it is so
and the people living in the city, know not what it means,
to eat from home grown vegetables, grown in their garden, like corn on the cob and collared greens
they know not what its like to pick and harvest apples, from a country apple tree
the best part of that, is that the apples in the country, are for the most part, FREE!
and the city folk, they know not what its like to wake up to a spring or autumn dawn,
with wild dear eating the flowers in the flower garden and being on their dew soaked lawn
they know not the beauty of a burning sun set, with the last rays of the sun going down and it setting into the west,
while rocking in a rocking chair, with a brand new sleeping babe, healed gently to a mothers loving breast
and city folk know not the REAL country life and it is tragiic that this they do not know
to be able watch, while living in the country, their healthy children thrive and grow
and I remember my father saying this to me,
that people living in the city are slaves and prisoners and they know not what it means to truly be free,
and that, its not a crime for a soul to live or to have lived in a big city, but it is for any one to have lived with out,
having lived and died in a city and never experiencing and or knowing what living in the country, is truly all about
and a poem (like this one) or a movie can give people living in the city an idea of the country life and the country folk that live in the country and the likes
but the city folk will never, ever know or remember, the experience of being a 5 year old child riding into the woods, on an old narrow winding country road, alone, with your childhood friends, with a brown bag packed lunch, while peddling their red, 3 wheeled trikes
noone better...miss John!
Awesome song of true life family wishes for their son........love montana!
Beautiful song! Thanks for sharing!
Henry was a great man, full of passion, and the creative agony of his love for Annie. His greatness was too much for her.
This my favorite song ever!
I saw John sing this song in Sun City AZ, shortly after I bought Emmylou's Duets CD. I would love to have seen them perform this together. But I don't think John would be happy with today's political climate in Montana.
The best version of this song, for me. Love both singers and the song.
you bet....Love it..
One of his many PERFECT songs. I miss him.
+Paul chacho amen
In trying to move out west to Montana, and this morning when I was just about to give up on my dream, this song came on. Reassuring me that I can't give up yet haha crazy how the world works sometimes
cassidyyumyums hope you made it!
Your comment was from 2 years ago.. I hope you made it .. never give up on your dreams #nevertoolate
Two great voices, duet excellent, thanks, love it
i remember when he came to my reservation and sang for us up here in montana
treasured memory.....
love john denver
Born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. John and Emmy hit #14 in Billboard, 9-24-83. God bless you, friend, for postin' it. Thanx! Have a blessed week! RIP, John.
I hope Montana uses this as a state song! Dang!
Nope. Montana uses the song "Montana" by Charles Cohan and Joseph E. Howard. It's still a lovely song.
Absolutely fabulous singing and harmony. Take that Florida Georgia line and Chase Rice. You guys can keep your putrid crap that you call country. I'll take John Denver all week long and twice on Sundays!!!
I set out on my own at 19 and never looked back. My family was my worst enemy.
I grew up listening to John Denver thanks to my mom, and I gotta say there just aren't any songwriters of his caliber these days. Today, it's all about the money and what sells and actual talent is secondary as far as the producers are concerned. Sad.
+bartsimpson83 There are so many, many wonderful songwriters out there these days. James Keelaghan, Jez Lowe, Janis Ian, Kate Campbell, Dick Caddick, Neko Case, Willy Mason -- I could go on and on. Are you looking in the right places?
got this recording on vinyl and CD and still my favourite and most exciting of John Denver songs. The quality of the duet is brilliant. thank you
right on!
beautiful photos love it well done
You are missed John.
Two phenomenal voices and one great song, it can't help but be a wow. However, NOT the best John Denver song ever because he has tons of material way before this. Also NOT the best Emmylou Harris song as she had tons of material beforehand as well. But these two together struck gold; it was a shame that they didn't record more songs together, our loss but we can always enjoy this one which will be timeless.
dee best of dee best
Great guitar sounds!
Touches my heart
John Denver has amazing range!
love this song...!
This is one of my favorite John Denver songs but it it EmmyLou that makes it even that much better love to hear them hit the high notes
Yes, how did they do that?!! So wonderful!!!
Jeff Persse I am a rocker but can sing Emmy Lous part since I sing soprano bet John would be amazed this young lady knows his songs. I give my dad credit for that
Brings back very happy memories for me when I lived in the US, in Missouri, 1983 - 1984
This song.
john denver's best song!
wow that's a bold claim lol, but yeah defo 1 of the best, Emmylou harris just adds so much :)
AS a 58 year old man, I am not ashamed to say this man makes me cry. A talent sorely missed. Can you imagine what he'd sound like today with the latest technology? John you always put a fire in my heart. May you rest in peace intrepid vocalist.
Peter Denyer. you a nice person
No one with whom I love singing along and harmonizing more. My JD CDS are a must on the road, John and I are awesome.
That's a beautiful tribute, Mr Denyer
My daddy and I grew a strong friendship singing to John Denver and Emmylou Harris together.
I love John Denver and Montana.I still cry even I am 61
Something about John Denver and this song that i really like. I was 21 when I set out on my own, I have been back, but the fire in my heart is raging to get ahead.
just what i would say. my mom wont quit singing it. me ether
niether artist makes the song, it would be poor without without either artist, as i duet its amazing :)
John Denver does a great job with this great tune but Emmylou brings in Heavenward! Thanks Emmylou Harris!
Emmylou makes this song for me.
Pixie, who sings better than this maN?
i THINK THIS IS GREAT .I (SORRY CAPS)I heard the song "Sunshine" and my wife looked at me amazed and said "John Denver made you cry " and she just got away but it was the movie ,Take Me Home a clearness and a goodness about this man ,even in the 60s and 70s these songs brightened my days Thank You JD
I agree.
he sure can we all dreamers
john Denver was quite unknown in my country. But he was a great singer and composer. Regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
This song is about his old former friend, and co song writer to many of Johns songs, Joe Henry. . . .
This song is my first recollection of hearing Emmylou and remember thinking this girl harmonises like no one else I had ever heard.
Whenever I hear this song, here on YouTube or on my iPod once is never enough...three, four...five times...and only then I'm satisfied. I love this song and love Montana...maybe I'll move there someday. A boy can dream can't he?!?
brings back memories
J.D and E.L.H....beautifull...thanks
John Denver, Emmylou Harris... Maybe my two favorite voices, together! What a great duet!!!
Great song! I liked it since i first listened back when i was 10 yo. I couldnt understand the lyrics, but thr music just woiuldnt need it.
When I hear this song, I remember a lady I loved who lived in the Bitterroot Valley. I was not the one she chose, but I am sure she made the best choice for her. I'll always miss her, and cherish the times we had together. This is one of my favorite john Denver songs!!
Miss him so much! His God given talent and love of God's creation, He is now with the creator of all and sings praise constantly to the creator.
give a fire in his heart and a light in his eyes, wild montana skies,
Well, my parents bought cassette tape of some John Denver songs. That tape broke when I was 8 years old. And I remembered this song, and this is the first time I've heard it since I was 8. Whatever it was about this song, it stayed with me despite the 10 years it took me to finally find the title to the John Denver song I heard as a child. So it may not be his best, but it made an impact on me.
Stunning,enough said.