Fan Theory: What if John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" was actually a song about a Time Lord?

Everyone knows that the John Denver song "Rocky Mountain High" is nothing more than beautiful country/western folk poetry. But if you ignore this fact, and interpret the wording literally, it soon becomes apparent that there may be more to this classic tune than meets the eye-- an epic science fiction story at its heart... or should I say its two hearts?

Let's analyze the lyrics and find out!

He was born in the summer of his 27th year

--Perhaps early in life, a Time Lord is experiencing his first regeneration.

Coming home to a place he'd never been before

--For a Time Lord, home is wherever you travel to.

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again

--Again, a reference to time travel and regeneration.

You might say he found a key for every door

--Only a sonic screwdriver could truly qualify as a universal key.

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away, on the road and hanging by a song

--A vague reference to the immense distances traveled in a TARDIS.

But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care, it keeps changing fast and it don't last for long

--A reference to a Time Lord's lack of connection to time and place, and the inherent instability caused by his lifestyle.

But the Colorado rocky mountain high, I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

--The phrase "fire in the sky" could be interpreted as alien activity, as evidenced by the 1993 alien abduction film of the same name. While the song itself predates the events depicted in the film, the phrase could still be a general description of  extraterrestrial technology as viewed from the perspective of a Time Lord's human companions.

The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye

--A Time Lord would feel right at home in a starlit environment.

He saw everything as far as you can see

--This could be a reference to advanced Gallifreyan imaging technology.

And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun

--Time Lords are known for doing risky things such as steering their TARDIS into close proximity to a star.

And he lost a friend but kept the memory

--A Time Lord eventually has to say goodbye to his companions, but remains burdened with their memory.

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams, seeking grace in every step he takes

--More evidence of an interstellar traveler, alone and burdened by guilt from his long, complicated past.

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

--Even the most tranquil and peaceful locations can hide alien and paranormal dangers that are not readily apparent.

Talk to God and listen to the casual reply

--A Time Lord would not find it unusual to have casual conversations with immensely powerful, godlike alien entities.

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear of a simple thing he cannot comprehend

--The longer a time lord lives and travels, the more he becomes aware of his own limitations and shortcomings.

Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more, more people, more scars upon the land

--This could be interpreted as terraforming and mining activities by human colonists on distant worlds in the far future.

I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly

--A Time Lord would greatly appreciate the value in observing different life forms throughout time and space

Friends around the campfire and everybody's high

--And finally, the easiest way to literally get everybody high is invite them into a TARDIS where they will all fit, and take them a long distance from the planetary surface.

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Denver / Mike Taylor

Rocky Mountain High lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Lyrics quoted for the purpose of fair use commentary