OK, so in our long quest for lyrics to this song, we have still not arrived at a definitive transcription of this song. We have relied on the fading memories of people who are in their fifties, or even older. So, I think it's time to get down to business and do an actual transcription of an actual recording. Here's what I hear on the 1962 recording by the Travelers 3.

The Land of Oden
(Songwriter not identified - from Travelers 3 recording)

In the land of Oden there stands a mountain
One thousand miles in the air.
From edge to edge, this mountain
Is one thousand miles square.

A little bird comes winging
Once every million years,
And sharpens its beak on the mountain
And quickly disappears.

Thus when this mountain is worn away,
This to eternity will be one single day.

(Sing a verse of Oooh's, and then repeat the lyrics)

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Now, my belief is that the definitive version of this song is the Peter & Gordon recording:


The Land of Oden
(Travis Wammack- from Peter & Gordon)

In the land of Oden there stands a mountain
One thousand miles in the air;
From edge to edge this mountain measures
One thousand miles square.

A little bird comes winging
Once in every million years,
Sharpens its beak on the mountain
And swiftly disappears.

Thus when this mountain was worn away,
This to eternity will be one single day.

[instrumental break, then repeat lyrics]


Transcribed by ear from "World Without Love" album by Peter and Gordon.

My personal belief is that this song was personally dictated to Travis Wammack by Sister Mary Conscience in 1958, when young Travis was in the eighth grade at Our Lady of the Precious Rosary Catholic School in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. This is one of many colorful "old nun's tales" I grew up with.

-Joe Offer-