Songnote: Surrounded by a clean horizon in the Flint Hills, the rider in this song contemplates the rarity of this experience in a world that seems always to find “a reason to put nature aside.” The title borrows and combines two phrases from beloved writer Peggy of the Flint Hills: “clean curve of hill” and “sweep of hill against sky” (Zula Bennington Greene Preface, Vol. 2 Chase County Historical Sketches).
Lyrics:
As we hop on our ponies to climb up the hill
While the morning breeze sleeps and air is so still
We see up ahead in the early half light
That clean curve of hill against sky
Then we’re out in the pasture as far as we’ll go
It rises around us -- a giant green bowl
While the sunrise is filling the day up with light on
That clean curve of hill against sky
The pioneers saw it as they crossed the wide plains
‘Til they built up their cities for fortune and fame
So there’s few places left now to pleasure the eyes with
That clean curve of hill against sky
Out here we’re still blessed with true darkness at night
Our skies are a’glimmer with the Milky Way’s light
If you’re lucky you might see a star shootin’ by
That clean curve of hill against sky - But
There’s more people & buildings & towers all the time
Cause there’s always a reason to put nature aside
Just a few places left now to pleasure the eyes with
That clean curve of hill against sky
Now the hot sun is high and we’re ridin’ on home
Our horses are spent with their heads hangin’ low
I turn back my head now for one last goodbye to
That clean curve of hill against sky