Hares on the Mountain

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a playful, yet pointed, conversation between two people, likely a man and a woman named Sally. The opening lines set a scene of romantic overture, with the man expressing a desire to kiss Sally. Her immediate, somewhat coy response, "You don't know what you're missing," immediately shifts the tone from simple affection to a challenge, hinting at a deeper complexity in her feelings or perhaps her assessment of him. The core of the song lies in a series of hypothetical scenarios that question the value and desirability of young men. The narrator poses increasingly vivid images: men as "hares on the mountain," "fish in the water," and singers like "blackbirds and thrushes." Each scenario is followed by the question of how many young girls would actively pursue them, suggesting that their appeal is conditional and perhaps superficial. The contrast between the men's potential qualities and the girls' potential actions highlights a transactional or game-like aspect to romantic pursuit. The most striking craft element is the use of these escalating, almost primal, metaphors. The shift from hunting hares to diving after fish, and then to the more delicate imagery of birdsong, creates a dynamic tension. The final verse offers a stark contrast, describing the young men as "given to frisking and fooling." This dismissive characterization, coupled with Sally's decision to "leave them alone and attend to my schooling," provides a resolution that prioritizes self-improvement over potentially fruitless romantic endeavors. It suggests a pragmatic, almost defiant, stance against the perceived shallowness of the young men. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they articulate a subtle but powerful critique of superficial attraction and the games often played in courtship. The clever use of hypothetical situations and contrasting imagery allows the narrator to express a complex emotional state – one of both playful challenge and decisive self-possession. Sally's final declaration is not just a rejection, but a statement of priorities, making the song a sharp observation on navigating romantic expectations.