Notes: 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
https://primoaccordo.net/james-taylor/up-er-mei.htm