Ain't No Mountain High Enough – English Lyrics

• By: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
• Album: The Complete Duets

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the powerful message of love and determination in Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Learn about the song's origins, its impact, and how its inspiring lyrics about overcoming obstacles can enrich your understanding of the English language and Motown's rich musical legacy.

[English]

Listen, baby

Ain't no mountain high

Ain't no vally low

Ain't no river wide enough, baby

If you need me, call me

No matter where you are

No matter how far

Just call my name

I'll be there in a hurry

You don't have to worry

'Cause baby,

There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you

Remember the day

I set you free

I told you

You could always count on me

From that day on I made a vow

I'll be there when you want me

Some way, some how

'Cause baby,

There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you

No wind, no rain

My love is alive

Way down in my heart

Although we are miles apart

If you ever need a helping hand

I'll be there on the double

As fast as I can

Don't you know that

There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you

Don't you know that

There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mountain /ˈmaʊntən/ A1	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - of great vertical extent
valley /ˈvæli/ A2	noun - a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it
low /loʊ/ A1	adjective - of less than average height from top to bottom or a specified level
river /ˈrɪvər/ A1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream
wide /waɪd/ A1	adjective - having a specified extent from side to side
need /niːd/ A1	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - give (someone) a phone call
matter /ˈmætər/ A2	verb - be important or significant
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or words by which someone or something is known
worry /ˈwʌri/ A2	verb - give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not under the control or power of someone else; able to do or say what you want verb - release (someone or something) from confinement or servitude
count /kaʊnt/ A1	verb - determine the total number of (things).
vow /vaʊ/ B2	noun - a solemn promise verb - solemnly promise to do a specified thing
wind /wɪnd/ A1	noun - the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - moisture condensed from the atmosphere that falls visibly in separate drops.
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection.
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation.
alive /əˈlaɪv/ A2	adjective - living; not dead.

Key Grammar Structures

• Ain't no mountain high enough

  ➔ Double Negative (Ain't = is not / are not + no)

  ➔ This uses a colloquial double negative. "Ain't" (is not/are not) is combined with "no" to emphasize that there is absolutely nothing preventing access.

• If you need me, call me

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Zero Conditional)

  ➔ This is a zero conditional sentence expressing a general truth. The structure is "If + present simple, present simple". In this case, "if" you need me is the condition, and the result is that you should "call" me.

• No matter where you are

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Place (No matter + wh-word)

  ➔ "No matter where" is used to emphasize that location is irrelevant. It means regardless of your location.

• Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry

  ➔ Future Simple with Contraction ('ll = will)

  ➔ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will", indicating a promise or a future action.

• Remember the day I set you free

  ➔ Past Simple Tense (regular verb)

  ➔ The phrase "I set you free" is using the past simple tense to describe a completed action in the past. The verb "set" is irregular, but it's past form is the same as the base form.

• I'll be there when you want me

  ➔ Future Simple in a Time Clause (Future in main clause, Present in time clause)

  ➔ This sentence uses the future simple ("I'll be") in the main clause and the present simple ("you want") in the time clause introduced by "when". This is a common structure to talk about future events dependent on a specific time.

• Although we are miles apart

  ➔ Subordinating Conjunction 'Although' (contrast)

  ➔ "Although" introduces a clause that expresses a contrast with the main clause. Here, despite being physically distant, the singer emphasizes the closeness in their heart.