Bristlecone Pine
Eternal Wisdom: Bristlecone Pine's Timeless Tale
Lyrics
Way up in the mountains on
Describes the location in the mountains.
The high timber line
Refers to the high elevation where the Bristlecone Pine grows.
There's a twisted old tree
Introduces the Bristlecone Pine as a twisted old tree.
Called the Bristlecone Pine
Names the tree that is the central focus of the song.
The wind there is bitter
Describes the harshness of the wind in the mountains.
It cuts like a knife
Compares the wind to a cutting force.
And it keeps that tree holding
States that the tree endures the harsh conditions.
On for dear life
Highlights the resilience of the Bristlecone Pine.
But hold on it does, standing it's ground
Emphasizes the tree's ability to stand firm.
Standing as empires rise and fall down
Compares the tree's endurance to the rise and fall of empires.
When Jesus was gathering lambs to his fold
References Jesus gathering lambs, introducing a religious theme.
The tree was already a thousand years old
Reveals the age of the Bristlecone Pine, predating biblical events.
Now the way I have lived there
Reflects on the singer's own life and choices.
Ain't no way to tell
Expresses uncertainty about the afterlife.
When I die if I'm going to heaven or hell
Addresses the ambiguity of the singer's fate.
So when I'm laid to rest it
Desires a peaceful resting place.
Would suit me just fine
Expresses a preference to rest near the Bristlecone Pine.
To sleep at the feet of the Bristlecone Pine
Describes the desired burial location.
For as I would slowly return to the earth
Envisions a connection between the singer and the tree.
What little this body of mine might be worth
Reflects on the singer's modest contribution to the tree's growth.
Would soon start to nourish the
Highlights the nourishing aspect of the singer's decomposition.
Roots of that tree
Describes the integration of the singer into the tree's roots.
And it would partake of the essence of me
Emphasizes the tree absorbing the essence of the singer.
And who knows but that as the centuries turn
Contemplates the potential longevity of the singer's influence.
A small spark of me might continue to burn
Suggests the idea of the singer's legacy enduring over centuries.
As long as the sun did continue to shine
Links the singer's legacy to the sun shining on the tree.
Down on the limbs of the Bristlecone Pine
Visualizes the singer's impact on the Bristlecone Pine's limbs.
Now the way I have lived there
Reiterates the uncertainty of the singer's afterlife.
Ain't no way to tell
Restates the ambiguity of the singer's fate.
When I die if I'm going to heaven or hell
Reaffirms the desire for eternal rest near the Bristlecone Pine.
So I'd just as soon serve out eternity's time
Expresses contentment with eternal sleep by the tree.
Asleep at the feet of the Bristlecone Pine
Repeats the desire to rest at the feet of the Bristlecone Pine.
Asleep at the feet of the Bristlecone Pine
Reiterates the desire to be asleep at the feet of the Bristlecone Pine.
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