About the song
“Fire on the Mountain” is a memorable song written by George McCorkle, a member of The Marshall Tucker Band. This song first appeared on their 1975 album, *Searchin’ for a Rainbow*, and was the album’s lead single. It achieved notable success, reaching number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The story behind “Fire on the Mountain” is quite interesting. George McCorkle originally hoped that his friend, Charlie Daniels, would include the song on his own album. However, when Daniels chose not to record it, McCorkle decided to go ahead with his band, The Marshall Tucker Band. Charlie Daniels did make a guest appearance on the track, playing the fiddle. This collaboration helped the song become The Marshall Tucker Band’s first hit to enter the Top 40, solidifying its place as a beloved Southern rock classic.
Lyrically, “Fire on the Mountain” paints a vivid picture of the California gold rush era. It tells the story of a family leaving their South Carolina home in pursuit of gold. Their journey ends in tragedy when the singer is shot and killed, leaving his widow with nothing but a worthless gold claim. The song’s narrative captures the hardships and dreams of that time.
In terms of musical composition, “Fire on the Mountain” is set in the key of G Major. The vocal range of the song extends from D4 to G5. Interestingly, Toy Caldwell, the band’s steel guitarist, played a significant role in the song. Although the steel guitar’s tuning was not perfect due to Caldwell’s lack of experience with tuning, it still contributes to the unique sound of the track.
Overall, “Fire on the Mountain” remains a cherished piece of Southern rock history, celebrated for its storytelling and distinctive musical elements.
Video
Lyrics
Took my family away from my Carolina home
Had dreams about the west and started to roam
Six long months on a dust covered trail
They say heaven’s at the end, but so far it’s been hell
And there’s fire on the mountain, lightning in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there
We were digging and sifting from five to five
Selling everything we found just to stay alive
Gold flowed free like the whiskey in the bars
Sinning was the big thing, Lord and Satan was the star
And there’s fire on the mountain, lightning in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there
Dance hall girls were the evening treat
Empty cartridges and blood lined the gutters of the street
Men were shot down for the sake of fun
Or just to hear the noise of their forty-four guns
And there’s fire on the mountain, lightning in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there
Now my widow, she weeps by my grave
Tears flow free for her man she couldn’t save
Shot down in cold blood by a gun that carried fame
All for a useless and no good worthless claim
And there’s fire on the mountain, lightning in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there
Fire on the mountain, lightning in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there
Waiting for me there