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Sting — The Hills on the Border
Album: The Bridge
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 402









Released: 2021
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Oh, the hills on the border
'Bout this time of the year
When the mists seem to gather
In the valley of your fears

And you walk through that valley
As day turns to night
Is there something in the shadows
Or the failing of the light?

I was walking home last evening
When perhaps I should have ran
From a darkening of shadows
In the shape of a man

It said, "Talk to me, stranger
Or may I call you brother?
Let us make our way together
From this place to another

I don't carry any weapon
I don't carry any staff
But I'll carry half your burden
Till your journey's cut in half

Let me share of your burden
The lifetime you will carve
And the gravestone that you carry
Will be a burden halved"

He sat down by the roadside
As the mists they gathered 'round
Takes some cards from his pocket
That he spreads upon the ground

He said, "This card is a woman
You will love but not possess
And this card's a man you'll murder
But you'll never confess

I don't carry any weapon
I don't carry any staff
But I'll carry half your burden
Till your journey's cut in half

Let me share of your burden
This lifetime you will carve
And the gravestone that you carry
Will be a burden halved"

I said, "Why should I trust you?
Or the cards that you have thrown?
I don't know you from the Devil
And this burden is my own"

He said, "I have the gift of secrets
From our Father, little brother
Let us make our way together
From this world to another"

Oh, the hills on the border
'Bout this time of the year
When the mists seem to gather
In the valley of your fears

And you walk through that valley
Your coat around your ears
As you walk to the borders
From the valley of your fears

As you walk to the borders
From the valley of your fears
As you walk to the borders
From the valley of your fears
Comments (18)add comment
Have Sting and Knopfler ever collaborated?
 Mugro wrote:

this sounds like someone trying real hard to sound like Sting…..

In the words of Douglas Adams, 'very nearly almost, but not quite like...'

Would love to hear Rushing Water from this album on RP.  My favorite new Sting track in about 20 years.
this sounds like someone trying real hard to sound like Sting…..
 sajitjacob wrote:

I have always had a softspot for Sting's story telling ability. Him and Mark Knopfler are great song writers.



After realizing one of Johnny Cash's song's I'm familiar with (I Hung My Head) with was written by Sting, I tend to agree.  
I have always had a softspot for Sting's story telling ability. Him and Mark Knopfler are great song writers.
I am curious to listen to the whole album, but I am not really impressed by this track...
 sfoster66 wrote:

The arc of this dude's career is truly remarkable whether you are down with its apparent destination or not.  Thanks for allowing us to join you on your journey Gordon...I've enjoyed all of the odd paths that you have chosen to explore.  



I agree with you.  I remember reading a critique by a music critic (in a newspaper that still exists),  right after Gordon (Sting) launched his solo career.  Not an exact quote probably, but he stated that the problem with Sting is that he "enjoyed the sound of his own voice more than was warranted."  

At times I have to admit I somewhat agreed with that statement, but not on this song.  Either Gordon has mellowed with age, or I have, or most probably, a combination of the two, but I really enjoy his voice on this song.   Enough to boost the average rating a tinge with a solid "8".
 Pjesnik wrote:

Recently he performed in Pantheon, while Foucault's pendulum was swinging near. Amazing audìo/visual experience.  



Thanks! You piqued my interest so I looked it up:  https://tinyurl.com/2p8pwpv6
Recently he performed in Pantheon, while Foucault's pendulum was swinging near. Amazing audìo/visual experience.  
Sting loves that old west-type feel with ballads. This song reminds me of his song I Hung My Head. I like it. Solid 7/10. 
...didn't recognize the voice at first - but reading the lyrics this sounds like an older man and carries the romanticism of a Sting ballad
The arc of this dude's career is truly remarkable whether you are down with its apparent destination or not.  Thanks for allowing us to join you on your journey Gordon...I've enjoyed all of the odd paths that you have chosen to explore.  
 Jelani wrote:

This is kind of different for Sting.



What do you mean ?
I like it! Starting at 7, for this 70 year old god of music
This is kind of different for Sting.
Right now with votes for this track between 3 and 8, the strip on the left side of the cover almost perfectly matches the voting pattern colours...
Unmistakably Sting !!