JT on Sony.com: Er Mei is a mountain in China (Sechuan province). Before the cultural revolution there were maybe 100 Buddhist shrines, temples, etc. on the way to the summit which usually pokes through the clouds like an island in the sea.
Sally and I went there to meet Ben in '93 (he was traveling out of Tibet). It took three days to climb the many miles of stone steps carved centuries ago into the living rock of the mountain. At the time, I might as well have been on the Stairmaster at Jack LaLane on Broadway and 76th.
We were walking in paradise
Never did notice
Blind in the Buddha land
Looking for solace
We had been told of a place
Far beyond this vale of tears
We could never have guessed
We were already blessed
There we were, where we are
In the garden
Didn't we climb on up er mei
Temple to temple
Yes and all and all along the way
The day was simple
Didn't we reach the top
Didn't we gain our goal
Did we finally stop
Surprised by the cold
We were walking in paradise
Never did tumble
Blind in the Buddha land
Looking for trouble
We had been told of a place
Far beyond this vale of tears
We could never have guessed
We were already blessed
There we were, where we are
In the garden