"I Love the Mountains", also known as "Boom De Yada" is a popular English-language children's song, American folk song, Hawaiian folk song and campfire song that dates back to at least the 1950s. [1] It is a common staple of Scouts culture and summer camps, being frequently covered by children's musicians. [2]
Its origins are uncertain but it has been noted to share a similar doo-wop chord progression with "Heart And Soul" by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser, recorded in 1938. [3]
Almost all published versions of the lyrics contain the following verse. Some versions simply repeat the verse or expound upon it, often describing things in nature they also love:
I love the mountains
I love the rolling hills
I love the flowers
I love the daffodils
I love the fireside
When the lights are low
The chorus consisting of repeating "Boom De Yada" a total of eight times. Variations may also consist of "Boom dee ah dah, "Boom Di Adda" or other similar sounding phrases:
Boom de yada. Boom de yada.
Boom de yada. Boom de yada.
Boom de yada. Boom de yada.
Boom de yada. Boom de yada.
The Discovery Channel adapted the lyrics of the song for its 2008 campaign "The World Is Just Awesome" featuring network personality Mike Rowe. In 2020, Rowe and the network issued an updated version of the adapted song. [4]