Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you uplifting songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith uses the term "gold in them hills" to deliver an inspirational message about cherishing all that life has to offer — both the good and the bad.
He sings, "But if we'd only open our eyes / We'd see the blessings in disguise / That all the rain clouds are fountains / Though our troubles seem like mountains / There's gold in them hills / There's gold in them hills / So don't lose heart / Give the day a chance to start."
Originally released in 2003 as the 15th track of Sexsmith's Rarities album, "Gold in Them Hills" became the defining song of the 2013 film About Time, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy.
In an interview posted to Youtube, writer-director Richard Curtis explained how the "profoundly meaningful song" represented the central philosophical theme of About Time — that no matter how bad life looks, if you investigate it, there's gold in them hills.
"You just may not be noticing," he said. "But, the normal run of your day is a wonderful and glorious thing."
The main character in the film has the ability to time travel, and initially believes that he should try to change his past in an effort to bolster his future.
But, then he realizes — with the help of his dad — that the best way to use time travel is to relive each ordinary day without the worries and tensions that keep us from appreciating how lucky we are to be with the people we love and live the life we lead.
Born in Ontario, Canada, Ronald Eldon "Ron" Sexsmith began recording his own material in 1985 at the age of 21. He was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2005 Juno awards and has released a total of 15 albums.
Please check out the audio track of Sexsmith performing "Gold in Them Hills." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along...
"Gold in Them Hills"
Written and performed by Ron Sexsmith.
I know it doesn't seem that way
But maybe it's the perfect day
Even though the bills are piling
And maybe Lady Luck ain't smiling
But if we'd only open our eyes
We'd see the blessings in disguise
That all the rain clouds are fountains
Though our troubles seem like mountains
There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start
Every now and then life says
“Where do you think you're going so fast”
We're apt to think it cruel but sometimes
It's a case of cruel to be kind
And if we'd get up off our knees
Why then we'd see the forest for the trees
And we'd see the new sun rising
Over the hills on the horizon
There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose faith
Give the world a chance to say
A word or two, my friend
There's no telling how the day might end
And we'll never know until we see
There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start
There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
Credit: Photo by spaceamoeba, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
