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Home D Denver, John Rocky Mountain High Guitar Tab

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE--------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the#
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.#
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------#
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 17:24:51 -0700
From: John Blair
Subject: d/denver_john/rocky_mountain_high.crd
Rocky Mountain High
By John Denver
>From the "Wildlife Concert" video
Transcription (and any errors) by jwblair@ix.netcom.com
Dropped D tuning (DADGBe)
Capo 2
Note-> DADGBe
++++++
D 000232
Em7 220000
G 550000 actually G6
A* 770000 A something
G* 550030 another G6
C x32010
A x02220
Dsus4 000233
Dsus2 000230
Dv 000775
Dvii 00077ten
Gvii 000787
Gvii* 00078ten add little finger at 10th fret
Gx 000430 yet another G6
Ax 000650 Asus4
This is what John is playing on the video, which may vary a little
from the original release. Both John and his backing guitar are
flatpicking 6-string guitars capoed 2 in dropped D tuning. In the
original release the backing guitar adds some nice lead licks
during the choruses.
Figure one
(Hammer with the little finger)
(the (3) is often inadvertently muted by John's little finger)
D Em7 G A*
e-|-----2------2-------2----------------------------------|
B-|-----3-----(3)------3----------------------------------|
G-|-----2--2h4---2-----2-----------0-0--0-0--0-0----------|
D-|-----0----------0h4---4-2p0-----0-0--0-0--0-0----------|
A-|----------------------------0---2-2--5-5--7-7----------|
D-|--0-----------------------------2-2--5-5--7-7----------|
Figure two
(Hammer with the little finger)
D Em7 C A
e-|-----2------2-------2------------------0----0----------|
B-|-----3-----(3)------3------------------0----2----------|
G-|-----2--2h4---2-----2-----------0-0----1----2----------|
D-|-----0----------0h4---4-2p0-----0-0----0----2----------|
A-|----------------------------0---2-2--3-3--0-0----------|
D-|--0-----------------------------2-2--------------------|
Intro:
Figure one... (twice)
Verse:
(Figure two...)
He was born in the summer of his 27th year
(Figure one...)
Comin' home to a place he'd never been before
(Figure two...)
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
(Figure one...)
You might say he found a key for every door
(Figure two...)
When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
(Figure one...)
On the road and hangin' by a song
(Figure two...)
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
(Figure one...)
It keeps changin' fast, and it don't last for long
Chorus:
(Strumming)
G G* A D Dvii Gvii Dv D
But the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
G G* A Dvii
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
G G* A D Gx Ax Gvii Gvii*
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
Verse:
(Figure two...)
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
(Figure one...)
He saw everything as far as you can see
(Figure two...)
And they say that he got crazy once and tried to touch the sun
(Figure one...)
And he lost a friend but kept his memory
(Figure two...)
Now he walks in quiet solitude the forests and the streams
(Figure one...)
Seeking grace in every step he takes
(Figure two...)
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
(Figure one...)
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake
Chorus:
(Strumming)
G G* A D Dvii Gvii Dv D
But the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
G G* A Dvii
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
G G* A D Gx Ax Gvii Gvii*
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
Verse:
(Figure two...)
Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fear
(Figure one...)
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
(Figure two...)
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
(Figure one...)
More people, more scars upon the land
Chorus:
(Strumming)
G G* A D (ad lib D/Dsus4/Dsus2)
It's a Colorado Rocky Mountain high
G G* A Dv Dvii Gvii Dv D
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
G G* A D Gx Ax Gvii Gvii*
I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
D (ad lib D/Dsus4/Dsus2)
Rocky Mountain high
G G* A D (ad lib D/Dsus4/Dsus2)
And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
G G* A Dvii
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
G G* A D Gx Ax Gvii Gvii*
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
(Figure one...)
Rocky Mountain high
(repeat until end)

Source: http://www.guitarmasta.net/d/denver,_john/351802.html

Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
 
 
No Picture

Mitch
Average
#1 by Mitch Zodila at Sep 26, 2007 at 8:34 PM EST
I always interpreted the "everybody's high" line to be more of an emotional high from the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains (also they are physically high, as the mountains are tall), NOT as a drug reference. I know when I'm standing by them (or for that matter almost any natural wonder) I am filled with awe and intense emotional high that is captured perfectly by this song.
 
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geoff
Average
#2 by geoff at Sep 27, 2007 at 5:40 AM EST
It's about the way you feel when you see the mountains. It changes you. I went last summer and I can totally relate.
 
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Mr. Shen
Average
#3 by Mr. Shen at Sep 27, 2007 at 9:48 AM EST
always knew this song, & took it at face value... JD was my favorite singer from the age of 9 or 10. BUT, coincidentally.... the song's meaning changed for me in MY 27th year... that was the year I got clean & sober. All of a sudden, this song became an allegory for my experience of getting sober, finding myself, making incredible changes (and changing incredibly), and coming into a mature sobriety (9 years this past spring). The song's imagery is one long metaphor for my journey, which isn't over yet. I know this isn't what JD meant by his lyrics, but it's really special to me that HE wrote this song... I bought "An Evening With..." when I was 10 years old, & still have that same LP... worn out, but I love it.
 
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Madman
Professional Badass
#4 by Madman at Sep 27, 2007 at 10:06 AM EST
I grew up in the mountains (yes, california has mountains, realy big ones. and snow and glaciers, who'd have thought...) and just moved to the Fresno (which is very much not in the mountains) and its saddens me to see people that havent realy been out into the wilderness, that dont care about anything outside of urban life. Thats why I find this song so wonderful, some one going out and discovering there is more to life than their native concrete and asfault. To know its not their and to not ruin it by turning it into another city (a huge problem in california).
 
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leaves
Average
#5 by leaves u who i dont like at Sep 28, 2007 at 6:53 PM EST
I love this song, friends around the campfire and everyone is high!!!! reminds me of every time I go camping with my friends, just sitting there smoking and bullshitting about life and everything
 
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Steve
Wanna Be
#6 by Steve at Sep 28, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST
A love song about nature that has genuine feeling behind it. Enough said!
 
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Chris
Wanna Be
#7 by Chris Simmons at Sep 30, 2007 at 11:04 PM EST
Absolutely albinomoose! What it might remind each of us of, is a personal thing. But I too believe that the true meaning of this verse is simply the "high" of the wonderful experience of the high country. An amaizingly intense emotion that one can't help but feel, when completely open to it, and in the environment where it exsists. It is an unexplainable experience, and can only be described as a feeling of high. I don't believe that there was any intended reference to any drug of any kind. 1
 
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max
Average
#8 by max the bassist at Oct 1, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST
yea, its just breathe taking, imagine living there, near a luscious waterfall, where the sun rises over the mountains and makes the trees glisten with gold. where the sky looks like heaven is just above your head, where the river flows making a gentle song for a tender ears, where the lake is as clear as the a mirror leaving a reflection that looks like a whole nother' world. man, one day... i'm gonna live in a place like that... i'm gonna own a few horse, and really live my life.
 
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lee
Average
#9 by lee henninger at Oct 1, 2007 at 4:47 AM EST
i betcha John Denver is jammin this song with God right now... this is such a great song, about getting away from everything, and using that beautiful high of connecting with nature to clear your head and figure out what is important
 
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Paul
Wanna Be
#10 by Paul Ellefson at Oct 2, 2007 at 1:05 AM EST
Absolutely albinomoose! What it might remind each of us of, is a personal thing. But I too believe that the true meaning of this verse is simply the "high" of the wonderful experience of the high country. An amaizingly intense emotion that one can't help but feel, when completely open to it, and in the environment where it exsists. It is an unexplainable experience, and can only be described as a feeling of high. I don't believe that there was any intended reference to any drug of any kind.
 
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Tony
Average
#11 by Tony at Oct 4, 2007 at 9:31 AM EST
trust me brother, it will, he has a way with his songs that aint no joke. john denver, may he rest in peice, is peace speaker, and we need more of them
 
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Rodrigo
Wanna Be
#12 by Rodrigo Pogo Punker at Oct 5, 2007 at 6:43 AM EST
The summer of my 27th year is approaching rapidly. I feel 26 is quite an awkward and crucial age- some of my friends are getting engaged, and I'm realizing that hacking away at my daily job isn't all that special. My best friend and I are taking a road trip out west. This song is perfect.
 
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Greg
Lead Player
#13 by Greg Marshall at Oct 5, 2007 at 3:16 PM EST
I love this song too... Hell.. I love all of john Denvers songs... This one is awesome because it talks about the beuty and wonder of nature and the mountins. I hope his music lives on forever.
 
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luke
Average
#14 by luke at Oct 6, 2007 at 12:57 PM EST
i'm the 1st thats crazy. this song is a very great song. i love all of john denver's music, he jams about nature and the country, and if you aint seen the country side, then get off the fucking computer and go see it, you need to check out the grand canyon, the shandoah river, the yosemite national park and most of all yelowstone national park. Go cause if you dont you mise well say you aint lived!!!