Story Behind The Song
Lowlands is the second song on the Roots EP and it represents a time when I returned home to where I was born before starting a new life far away. I picked up an original vinyl copy of the It'll Shine When It Shines album by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. My uncle has played with the band for twenty years, yet I didn't own any of their records. I became obsessed with this particular song and the poetry of the lyrics. The song spoke to me because it seems to be about overcoming fear despite great hardships.
Song Description
Lowlands was originally recorded by Glen Johns for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils 1974 album titled "It'll Shine When It Shines." John Dillon's poetic songwriting depicts a cultural view of life in the Ozarks, overcoming fear, accepting life's hardships, and observing the beauty that surrounds the Lowlands.
| Song Length |
3:52 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Country - Traditional |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Welcoming |
Subject |
Healing, Existence |
| Similar Artists |
Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Alison Krauss |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1970 - 1979 |
| |
Lyrics
I heard a song that was taught to a baby
And it made the mountain sing
I knew a gift that was given to my lady
It was hidden in a dream
And there's a light in the lowlands
And a river that runs so clean
I'm a poor man feelin' lazy
And the lowlands are callin' my name
I knew a man who said he was a stranger
'Cause his heart he could not trust
I knew a man who could not face the dangers
Even though he knew he must
And it's hard in the lowlands
And the grasses will turn to rust
But the sun is a fountain
Flowing through the lowland's dust
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